Validating the Italian Version of the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel Classification System

OBJECTIVE To validate the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) Classification System in Italian. METHODS In collaboration with the ISTAP, the classification system was translated into Italian using a forward-back translation process. To validate the translated system, a convenience sample of 212 health professionals classified 30 photographs of skin tears originally used by ISTAP. The wound images were labeled type 1, 2, or 3 as described by the classification system. The resulting scores were compared with the ISTAP classification, and the reliability of agreement was calculated with Fleiss kappa. RESULTS Complete data were obtained from 209 healthcare professionals. When the image classifications were compared with the original ISTAP indications, 72.5% of all classifications were correct. Data indicated a moderate level of agreement (Fleiss kappa = 0.466, range = 0.41-0.60). Data analysis showed similar agreement levels between nurses (n = 197, Fleiss kappa = 0.466) and nonnurses (n = 12, Fleiss kappa = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS The study validates the Italian version of the ISTAP skin tear classification system. Further studies are necessary to confirm the system's usability in Italian research and clinical settings.