American Journal of Medicine Studies
ISSN (Print): 2333-8881 ISSN (Online): 2333-889X Website: https://www.sciepub.com/journal/ajms Editor-in-chief: Apply for this position
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American Journal of Medicine Studies. 2017, 5(1), 1-17
DOI: 10.12691/ajms-5-1-1
Open AccessLiterature Review

Development and Implementation of a Pharmacological Toolkit to Help Providers Manage Level of Consciousness Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Quality Improvement Project

Peter Iremar Santana1,

1University of Massachusetts Boston, Capstone Defense

Pub. Date: March 21, 2017

Cite this paper:
Peter Iremar Santana. Development and Implementation of a Pharmacological Toolkit to Help Providers Manage Level of Consciousness Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A Quality Improvement Project. American Journal of Medicine Studies. 2017; 5(1):1-17. doi: 10.12691/ajms-5-1-1

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health concern in the USA. Each year, TBIs contribute to a total of 52,000 deaths, accounting for 30% of all injury-related deaths and cases of permanent disability. Approximately 5 million survivors of TBI in the USA live with some form of disability [1]. Due to the severity of the brain injuries, some patients will experience a reduced level of consciousness. Early use of pharmacological treatment is fundamental to improve patient outcomes. Background: Providers presently seek guidelines to help them choose the right medication quickly and accurately. A pharmacological toolkit was designed to help providers in the neurology unit to enhance patients’ level of consciousness and improve quality of care following a traumatic brain injury. The theoretical model for this project is the Havelock Theory of Change, which was used to guide the team during the stages of change. The Logic Model was used during the development and implementation of the toolkit. Methods: This project was developed and implemented in the medical neurological unit at the long term acute care and rehabilitation hospital. An educational program was initiated for providers to help them use the evidence based pharmacological toolkit to prescribe neuro-stimulates for patients with TBIs who demonstrated poor levels of consciousness. The Coma Recovery Scale -Revised (CRS-R) scale [2] was used to reassure if effectiveness of the neuropharmacology was feasible to treat poor alertness. The percentage of improvement on CRS-R score of 27.68%, with improvement of 3 points on CRS-R score, is a significant improvement to this QI project. The data was collected over six months and captured the variability reflecting improvement. A post implementation survey was answered by providers to track the benefit and practicability of the tool. Results: The level of satisfaction was high based on the survey response. Conclusion: Use of a neuropharmacological toolkit promises to help providers to treat severe traumatic brain injury in patients experiencing poor level of alertness. In conclusion, following the national brain injury organization recommendations, every institution needs to develop their own guideline to treat TBIs.

Keywords:
TBI consciousness arousal alertness Sinemet Ritalin amantadine zolpidem methylphenidate apomorphine minimally conscious state vegetative state coma Baclofen and brain injury

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