Purpose: To analyze the predictive validity and reliability of the Blaylock Risk Assessment Screening Score (BRASS) Index in a large group of patients.
Methods: Prospective multicenter observational study was conducted in six Italian hospitals. Data were collected in three phases.
Findings: Seven hundred eleven patients were recruited. The mean length of hospitalization for low-risk patients was significantly shorter than those in the medium and high-risk groups. Patients with a BRASS Index lower than 10, unlike those with a higher BRASS Index, were mainly discharged home.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the BRASS Index is useful to identify patients at risk for prolonged hospitalization.
Clinical relevance: The use of a validated BRASS instrument can be useful to screen the patients, improving individual discharge planning.
Keywords: BRASS Index; discharge planning; nursing care; validation study.
© 2013 NANDA International, Inc.