Application of the Rasch measurement framework to mammography positioning data.

The purpose of this article is to provide raw data and measure-validation data pertaining to a co-submission published in European Journal of Radiology and entitled: Development and validation of a novel measure of adverse patient positioning in mammography. This Data in Brief article serves not only to provide greater detail than its companion article but also as an educational worked example of the Rasch measurement framework. Rasch measurement is a form of modern psychometric technique and our articles provide the first known example of its use in the evaluation of clinical radiological image quality.

Hospital length of stay for COVID-19 patients: Data-driven methods for forward planning.

Background: Predicting hospital length of stay (LoS) for patients with COVID-19 infection is essential to ensure that adequate bed capacity can be provided without unnecessarily restricting care for patients with other conditions. Here, we demonstrate the utility of three complementary methods for predicting LoS using UK national- and hospital-level data.

Method: On a national scale, relevant patients were identified from the COVID-19 Hospitalisation in England Surveillance System (CHESS) reports.

Length of Stay in ICU of Covid-19 patients in England, March - May 2020.

Introduction: Length of Stay (LoS) in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is an important measure for planning beds capacity during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as the pandemic progresses and we learn more about the disease, treatment and subsequent LoS in ICU may change.

Objectives: To investigate the LoS in ICUs in England associated with Covid-19, correcting for censoring, and to evaluate the effect of known predictors of Covid-19 outcomes on ICU LoS.

Development and validation of a novel measure of adverse patient positioning in mammography.

Purpose: The primary aim was to develop and validate a novel mammography positioning measure, specifically incorporating parameters which might relate to mammography pain. We then explored relationships between the new adverse positioning score and (1) pain; (2) patient and technique factors.

Methods: A 15-item instrument incorporating positioning features with potential to relate to mammography pain was developed.

Validating a Measure of Numeracy Skill Use in the Workplace for Incarcerated and Household Adults.

The aim of this study is to construct a measure of numeracy skill use in the workplace for incarcerated and household adults. The 2012/2014 Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Survey of Adult Skills asked about the type and frequency of numeracy tasks performed as part of one's job to nationally-representative incarcerated and household adult samples. This paper takes these items from this survey and focuses on the validation of a measure of numeracy skill use in the workplace using the principles of the Rasch rating scale model.

Developing a short-form of the Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale: The Genomics Outcome Scale.

The Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale (GCOS-24) is a 24-item patient reported outcome measure for use in evaluations of genetic counselling and testing services. The aim of this study was to develop a short form of GCOS-24. The study comprised three phases.

Rasch analysis of the Antimicrobial Self-Assessment Toolkit for National Health Service (NHS) Trusts (ASAT v17).

Objectives: The Antimicrobial Self-Assessment Toolkit for National Health Service (NHS) Trusts (ASAT) was developed to evaluate hospital-based antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Iterative validity investigations of the ASAT were used to produce a 91-item ASAT v17 utilizing qualitative methodology. Rasch analysis was used to generate question (item) behaviour estimates and to investigate the validity of ASAT v17.

Measuring alternative learning outcomes: dispositions to study in higher education.

In this paper we describe the validation of two scales constructed to measure pre-university students' changing disposition (i) to enter Higher Education (HE) and (ii) to further study mathematically-demanding subjects. Items were selected drawing on interview data, and on a model of disposition as socially- as well as self- attributed. Rasch analyses showed that the two scales each produce robust one-dimensional measures on what we call a 'strength of commitment to enter HE' and 'disposition to study mathematically-demanding subjects further' respectively.