scholarly journals An exploration of the roles and perspectives of direct-care neurorehabilitation nurses on the process and actions of visual observation and safety monitoring for high risk brain injury patients

Author(s):  
Kirsty Gray ◽  
Letitia Burridge ◽  
David Borg
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000717
Author(s):  
Panu Teeratakulpisarn ◽  
Phati Angkasith ◽  
Thanakorn Wannakul ◽  
Parichat Tanmit ◽  
Supatcha Prasertcharoensuk ◽  
...  

BackgroundAlthough there are eight factors known to indicate a high risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), identification of the strongest of these factors may optimize the utility of brain CT in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of ICH based on baseline characteristics/mode of injury, indications for brain CT, and a combination of both to determine the strongest indicator.MethodsThis was a descriptive, retrospective, analytical study. The inclusion criteria were diagnosis of mild TBI, high risk of ICH, and having undergone a CT scan of the brain. The outcome of the study was any type of ICH. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to find the strongest predictors according to three models: (1) injury pattern and baseline characteristics, (2) indications for CT scan of the brain, and (3) a combination of models 1 and 2.ResultsThere were 100 patients determined to be at risk of ICH based on indications for CT of the brain in patients with acute head injury. Of these, 24 (24.00%) had ICH. Model 1 found that injury due to motor vehicle crash was a significant predictor of ICH, with an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 11.53 (3.05 to 43.58). Models 2 and 3 showed Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13 to 14 after 2 hours of observation and open skull or base of skull fracture to be independent predictors, with adjusted OR (95% CI) of 11.77 (1.32 to 104.96) and 5.88 (1.08 to 31.99) according to model 2.DiscussionOpen skull or base of skull fracture and GCS score of 13 to 14 after 2 hours of observation were the two strongest predictors of ICH in mild TBI.Level of evidenceIII.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Thompson ◽  
Kaitlin Hays ◽  
Alan Weintraub ◽  
Jessica M Ketchum ◽  
Robert G Kowalski

Abstract Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) has been well researched with stroke survivors and individuals who have Parkinson’s disease, but little research exists on RAS with people who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). This pilot study aimed to (1) assess the feasibility of the study design and (2) explore potential benefits. This single-arm clinical trial included 10 participants who had a 2-week control period between baseline and pretreatment. Participants had RAS daily for a 2-week treatment period and immediately completed post-treatment assessments. Participants then had a 1-week control period and completed follow-up assessment. The starting cadence was evaluated each day of the intervention period due to the variation in daily functioning in this population. All 10 participants were 1–20 years post-TBI with notable deviations in spatial-temporal aspects of gait including decreased velocity, step symmetry, and cadence. All participants had a high risk of falling as defined by achieving less than 22 on the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA). The outcome measures included the 10-m walk test, spatial and temporal gait parameters, FGA, and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. There were no adverse events during the study and gait parameters improved. After the intervention, half of the participants achieved a score of more than 22 on the FGA, indicating that they were no longer at high risk of experiencing falls.


2020 ◽  
pp. JNM-D-19-00092
Author(s):  
Scott D. Barnett ◽  
Devina Desai ◽  
Theresa Davis ◽  
Lisa Hawksworth ◽  
Eva Keeling ◽  
...  

Background and PurposeUsing remote visual monitoring (RVM) technology to observe patients at high risk for falls can effectively reduce falls and sitter costs. However, RVM is underutilized by direct care nurses. This study describes the development and testing of a new tool to measure nurses’ acceptance of RVM technology. Methods: The RVM Acceptance Tool (RVMAT) was tested among nurses recruited from a large health system.ResultsThree factors accounted for 70.38% of the total variance: Value, Patient Selection, and Availability and Intent to Use. The overall 25-item scale had good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = .98).ConclusionThe RVMAT is a theoretically grounded, valid, and reliable tool. Further research is needed to test its use in predicting nurses’ acceptance and intent to incorporate new technology into daily nursing care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6611-6611
Author(s):  
Christian S. Adonizio ◽  
Jamie Weeder ◽  
Erin Benner ◽  
Jesse Manikowski ◽  
Julie Hergenrather ◽  
...  

6611 Background: Validated survey tools have been used to measure the quality of life (QOL) of patients treated for cancer, however, there are newer studies that have shown both an improvement in QOL, and improvement in overall survival using these tools. We integrated the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – General Population (FACT-GP v.4) to direct the deployment of resources and interventions to improve the care of patients who have completed potentially curative therapy for cancer. Methods: This is an observational study of patients who received cancer therapy with curative intent in the last 18 months. The FACT-GP was administered by an RN via telephone. Patients contacted received and reviewed a Survivorship Care Plan (SCP) as defined by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Cancer. Patients who had a total score less than 60 on FACT-GP and/or had a score less than 12 on the Emotional Well-Being subscale (EWB) were considered high-risk and were referred to the Survivorship MDC for in-person evaluation. Results: From 10/1/2018 to 12/31/2018, 114 patients were referred to the cancer survivorship program. Of these, 64 (56%) patients had FACT-GP administered and were evaluated. 45 of these (70%) only completed the FACT-GP and received an SCP. 21 patients had a total score less than 60 and/or an EWB sub-score less than 12 and were identified as high-risk. 15 (72%) patients were seen in MDC, 4 (19%) patients were seen in conjunction with a scheduled appointment by the MDC team, 2 (9%) patients refused further evaluation. 66.7% of patients in the survivorship program were referred to Oncology Behavioral Health compared to 18.2% of all oncology patients. Survivorship patients in the cohort had a baseline utilization of the emergency department (ED) of 4.1% (10 of 241) from 1/1/2018 to 9/30/2018 and 0 (0 of 64) after the initiation of the intervention from 10/1/2018 to 12/31/2018. Conclusions: Integrating a validated QOL tool (FACT-GP) as a therapeutic intervention is feasible and may both identify needs and direct services for cancer survivors while possibly decreasing ED utilization. Clinical trial information: NCT03835052.


2005 ◽  
Vol 90 (11) ◽  
pp. 6085-6092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca Aimaretti ◽  
Maria Rosaria Ambrosio ◽  
Carolina Di Somma ◽  
Maurizio Gasperi ◽  
Salvatore Cannavò ◽  
...  

Abstract Context: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are conditions at high risk for the development of hypopituitarism. Objective: The objective of the study was to clarify whether pituitary deficiencies and normal pituitary function recorded at 3 months would improve or worsen at 12 months after the brain injury. Design and Patients: Pituitary function was tested at 3 and 12 months in patients who had TBI (n = 70) or SAH (n = 32). Results: In TBI, the 3-month evaluation had shown hypopituitarism (H) in 32.8%. Panhypopituitarism (PH), multiple (MH), and isolated (IH) hypopituitarism had been demonstrated in 5.7, 5.7, and 21.4%, respectively. The retesting demonstrated some degree of H in 22.7%. PH, MH, and IH were present in 5.7, 4.2, and 12.8%, respectively. PH was always confirmed at 12 months, whereas MH and IH were confirmed in 25% only. In 5.5% of TBI with no deficit at 3 months, IH was recorded at retesting. In 13.3% of TBI with IH at 3 months, MH was demonstrated at 12-month retesting. In SAH, the 3-month evaluation had shown H in 46.8%. MH and IH had been demonstrated in 6.2 and 40.6%, respectively. The retesting demonstrated H in 37.5%. MH and IH were present in 6.2 and 31.3%, respectively. Although no MH was confirmed at 12 months, two patients with IH at 3 months showed MH at retesting; 30.7% of SAH with IH at 3 months displayed normal pituitary function at retesting. In SAH, normal pituitary function was always confirmed. In TBI and SAH, the most common deficit was always severe GH deficiency. Conclusion: There is high risk for H in TBI and SAH patients. Early diagnosis of PH is always confirmed in the long term. Pituitary function in brain-injured patients may improve over time but, although rarely, may also worsen. Thus, brain-injured patients must undergo neuroendocrine follow-up over time.


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