Development of the Conscious Sedation Scale: establishing content validity and reliability.

The purpose of this study was to determine content validity and reliability of the Consciousness Sedation Scale (CSS), an instrument developed as a documentation tool for patient response during invasive procedures using intravenous conscious sedation. Instrument items were developed to reflect goals of conscious sedation recommended by the Association of Operating Room Nurses. Content validity of the parameters and grades was established at Content Validity Index (CVI) .875. Cronbach's coefficient alpha of .69 indicated insufficient reliability of discriminatory items between grades. Further refinement of the tool was indicated.