Hello all
I have a short post about the COVS scale ('Clinical Outcome Variables Scale', used to assess mobility). This is the predominant scale used at the prac which I am on - gerontology - to assess and quantify the mobility of the patients. However, I find that when I am using it I don't fully agree with all of the measures and am finding it difficult to use. For example, one of the areas to rate out of 7 is about wheelchair mobility and if the patient does not use a wheelchair I am under the imoression that you are just meant to score the highest, but this does not seem very representative if the patient does not use a wheelchair? Other inconsistencies seem to be in it. My supervisor says that she initially disliked the scale but has grown to like it more as she practices in gerontology more. Obviously it is meant to be reliable and valid etc etc... I was wondering if anyone else has had experience with using COVS and what they thinkof it?
Thanks,
Mel.
2 comments:
Heya
When i was at my geros prac we had to use COVS extensively. Every patient on the ward had 1 done on admission and discharge, that was the protocol. I agree with you in that the wheelchair question is a bit dodge. Unless the patient is wheelchair bound, i dont think that question is very important. But i think a lot more of the focus is on things like rolling, transfers and mobility/ambulation, and basically i think they are just looking at whether these things have improved on discharge. Its just an outcome measure, and probably one of the easiest ways to measure change. Also alot of the significant changes and problems for the patients will be documented in patient notes. I dont think what you do wiht the patient should be purely based around COVS score.
Rev
Hi,
Well I did not like it myself in the beginning of my gero prac, but have come to understand that it does not really guide our treatment - our objective findings do. It purely assesses mobility, not impairments, and is more of a quick outcome measure that we can present in team meetings during discharge planning, which quickly represents the patient's global mobility. This will help decide b/n high lvl vs low lvl care. And yes...the w/c qn and scoring of 1 for on/off floor when u don't Ax it is dodge.
Mark
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