AACN Synergy Model's characteristics of patients: psychometric analyses in a tertiary care health system.

Background: Models for delivery of patient care that recognize the relationship between the characteristics of the patient and the competencies of the nurse are essential for high-quality outcomes.

Objectives: (1) To test application of a case report form used to assess patients' characteristics as defined by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Synergy Model for Patient Care in a general population of pediatric and adult patients and (2) to evaluate the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the patient characteristics measure found on the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Web site.

Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted in 2 phases.