DETERMINATION OF THE RELIABILITY OF 3 SCORING SYSTEMS TO EVALUATE CHILDREN AFTER GENERAL-ANESTHESIA

The inter-observer reliabilities of three scoring systems (Excitement Score, Face Mask Acceptance Score, Steward Score) were assessed by pai rs of independent evaluators who observed 21 children during emergence from general anaesthesia. Each scoring system was analysed using the intraclass correlation coefficient giving values of 0.997 and 0.988 fo r the Excitement and Face Mask Acceptance Scores, respectively. Those for the Steward Score were 0.956, 0.924 and 0.295 for the 'consciousne ss' 'airway', and 'movement' subdivisions, respectively. Ambiguous wor ding and inexplicit instructions may explain the lower correlations/or the Steward Score. Reliability of scoring systems cannot be assumed a nd systems of undocumented reliability bring into question the results of the studies in which they are employed.