Observation Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale: statistical validation with newborns

Background: A newborn’s skin is delicate, thin, and fragile. These characteristics, when combined with system immaturity and the use of medical devices that are essential for survival, increase the risk of skin injury. This predisposition to injury requires health professionals to perform a close observation and assessment of the risk, using instruments specifically validated for this population. Objectives: To perform the cultural and linguistic adaptation of the Neonatal Skin Risk Assessment Scale (NSRAS) and assess its psychometric properties. Methodology: Quantitative study with a sample of 131 preterm infants. Confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha were used to estimate the sensitivity, validity, and reliability of the Portuguese version of the NSRAS. Results: The goodness-of-fit indexes indicate a good fit ( 2 χ (8)=28.415; p<0.001; CFI=0.959; GFI=0.965; TLI=0.923; and RMSEA=0.099; P(RMSEA ≤0.05)<0.001; n=131). Conclusion: The analysis of the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the NSRAS shows an adequate factorial structure for assessing the risk of pressure injuries in preterm infants; therefore, it is a good tool for research.