A three-round Delphi study to translate the scrub practitioners’ list of intraoperative non-technical skills (SPLINTS), for use in a Swedish perioperative context

The operating theatre nurse is responsible for advanced perioperative care in complex environments requiring both technical and non-technical skills. Non-technical skills training can improve teamwork and reduce the risk of adverse events. The Scrub Practitioners' List of Intraoperative Non-Technical Skills (SPLINTS) is a behavioural assessment tool for scrub practitioners not yet translated into Swedish. A Swedish version would provide a common conceptual base and strengthen non-technical skills for Swedish operating theatre nurses. The present study therefore aimed to translate the SPLINTS into Swedish, making it useable in a Swedish perioperative context. A three-round Delphi study was conducted to reach consensus for a Swedish translation. A mean rating of eight or higher on a 10-point scale, assessed as agreement among the experts, was reached in the third round. Although consensus level of agreement was not reached for all elements, three rounds resulted in agreement by a majority. Guidance on Conducting and Reporting Delphi Studies (CREDES) was used as reporting guideline. This Delphi study conducted an important first version of a Swedish translation of the SPLINTS, which, however, needs to be followed by validation and psychometrical testing.