Hospital Environmental Effects on Sleep in Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury in Rehabilitation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe sleep patterns of adults with traumatic brain injury and examine effects of environmental stressors (patient care activities and light) on patterns of sleep. DESIGN: A descriptive, correlational, explanatory design was used for this study. METHODS: Sixty-three subjects with traumatic brain injury (>18 years) on an acute traumatic brain injury rehabilitation unit wore an Actiwatch for 48 hours to collect light and sleep data. Patient care activity data were collected between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. FINDINGS: Patient care activities and light occurred between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Nighttime sleep duration and sleep efficiency were explained by patient care activities, whereas light explained wake time after sleep onset. CONCLUSION: Patient care activities and light serve as environmental stressors that affect sleep. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results necessitate examining the need and timing of nursing care activities and light during nighttime. Findings provide a basis for policy changes that optimize sleep.

A Targeted Self-Management Approach for Reducing Stroke Risk Factors in African American Men Who Have Had a Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack.

PURPOSE: This study compared a novel self-management (TargetEd MAnageMent Intervention [TEAM]) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to reduce stroke risk in African American (AA) men. DESIGN: Six-month prospective randomized controlled trial with outcomes evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. SETTING: Academic health center. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-eight (age < 65) AA men who had a stroke or transient ischemic attack and a Barthel index score of >60 were randomly assigned to TEAM (n = 19) or TAU (n = 19). INTERVENTION: Self-management training, delivered in 1 individual and 4 group sessions (over 3 months). MEASURES: Blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, medication adherence, weight, and standardized measures of health behaviors (diet, exercise, smoking, substances), depression, and quality of life. Qualitative assessments evaluated the perspectives of TEAM participants. ANALYSIS: T tests for paired differences and nonparametric tests. Thematic content qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 52.1 (standard deviation [SD] = 7.4) and mean body mass index was 31.4 (SD = 7.4). Compared to TAU, TEAM participants had significantly lower mean systolic blood pressure by 24 weeks, and there was also improvement in HbA1c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( P = .03). Other biomarker and health behaviors were similar between groups. Qualitative results suggested improved awareness of risk factors as well as positive effects of group support.

Sensitivity, Specificity, and Receiver Operating Characteristics: A Primer for Neuroscience Nurses.

It is important for neuroscience nurses to have a solid understanding of the instruments they use in clinical practice. Specifically, when reviewing reports of research instruments, nurses should be knowledgeable of analytical terms when determining the applicability of instruments for use in clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to review 3 such analytical terms: sensitivity, specificity, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Examples of how these terms are used in the neuroscience literature highlight the relevance of these terms to neuroscience nursing practice. As the role of the nurse continues to expand, it is important not to simply accept all instruments as valid but to be able to critically evaluate their properties for applicability to nursing practice and evidence-based care of our patients.

A Comparative Study of Glasgow Coma Scale and Full Outline of Unresponsiveness Scores for Predicting Long-Term Outcome After Brain Injury.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare predictive ability of hospital Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores and scores obtained using a novel coma scoring tool (the Full Outline of Unresponsiveness [FOUR] scale) on long-term outcomes among patients with traumatic brain injury. Preliminary research of the FOUR scale suggests that it is comparable with GCS for predicting mortality and functional outcome at hospital discharge. No research has investigated relationships between coma scores and outcome 12 months postinjury. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study. Data were gathered on adult patients with traumatic brain injury admitted to urban level I trauma center. GCS and FOUR scores were assigned at 24 and 72 hours and at hospital discharge. Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were assigned at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The sample size was n = 107. Mean age was 53.5 (SD = ±21, range = 18-91) years. Spearman correlations were comparable and strongest among discharge GCS and FOUR scores and 12-month outcome (r = .73, p < .000; r = .72, p < .000). Multivariate regression models indicate that age and discharge GCS were the strongest predictors of outcome. Areas under the curve were similar for GCS and FOUR scores, with discharge scores occupying the largest areas. CONCLUSION: GCS and FOUR scores were comparable in bivariate associations with long-term outcome. Discharge coma scores performed best for both tools, with GCS discharge scores predictive in multivariate models.

The FOUR score and GCS as predictors of outcome after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a routine component of a neurological exam for critically ill traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients, yet has been criticized for not accurately depicting verbal status among intubated patients or including brain stem reflexes. Preliminary research on the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness (FOUR) Scale suggests it overcomes these limitations. Research is needed to determine correlations with patient outcomes. The aims of this study were to: (1) examine correlations between 24 and 72 h FOUR and GCS scores and functional/cognitive outcomes; (2) determine relationship between 24 and 72 h FOUR scores and mortality. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Data gathered on adult TBI patients at a Level I trauma center. FOUR scores assigned at 24, 72 h. Functional outcome measured by functional independence measure scores at rehabilitation discharge; cognitive status measured by Weschler Memory Scale scores 3 months post-injury. RESULTS: n = 136. Mean age 53.1. 72 h FOUR and GCS scores correlated with functional outcome (r s = 0.34, p = 0.05; r s = 0.39, p = 0.02), but not cognitive status. Receiver operating characteristic curves were comparable for FOUR and GCS at 24 and 72 h for functional status (24 h FOUR, GCS = 0.625, 0.602, respectively; 72 h FOUR, GCS = 0.640, 0.688), cognitive status (24 h FOUR, GCS = 0.703, 0.731; 72 h FOUR, GCS = 0.837, 0.674), and mortality (24 h FOUR, GCS = 0.913, 0.935; 72 h FOUR, GCS = 0.837, 0.884). CONCLUSIONS: FOUR is comparable to GCS in terms of predictive ability for functional status, cognitive outcome 3 months post-injury, and in-hospital mortality.

Registered nurse perceptions after implementation of a nurse residency program.

Nurse residency programs (NRPs) are an effective mechanism for transitioning newly licensed registered nurses (NLRNs) to practice. No studies have investigated how experienced nurses view NLRN performance after NRPs. The purpose of this quality initiative was to identify experienced nurses' satisfaction with NLRN proficiency before and after implementation of an NRP using the Nursing Practice Readiness Tool. Findings indicate that experienced nurses are more satisfied with the performance of NLRNs after the new nurse participated in an NRP.

The feasibility, reliability, and clinical utility of the agitated behavior scale in brain-injured rehabilitation patients.

UNLABELLED: Patients with traumatic brain injury often experience physical and cognitive impairments as well as agitation requiring additional care to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, reliability and clinical utility of the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS) as part of routine rehabilitation nursing assessment. METHOD: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on a brain injury rehabilitation unit consisting of a sample of 51 patients who were consecutively admitted over 4 months to a rehabilitation unit. FINDINGS: Results showed that the tool was completed on the majority of nursing shifts, had high interrater agreement, and distinguished patients who were on constant observation or physically restrained. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ABS can be used as an objective measure for nurses to guide the initiation and evaluate the effectiveness of various care strategies.

Incorporating bedside reporting into change-of-shift report.

Communication failures during shift reports are a leading cause of sentinel events in the United States. Providing adequate information during change-of-shift reporting is essential to promoting patient safety. In addition, patients want to be more involved in decisions regarding their plan of care. The purpose of the article is to discuss how a stroke rehabilitation unit was able to implement bedside change-of-shift reporting to meet both of these goals.

We're not just playing games: Into aging--an aging simulation game.

The elderly represent the largest-growing segment of the population. Specialized training in geriatrics is essential for healthcare professionals to provide optimal health care. As part of an ongoing education program on geriatrics, the game Into Aging: Understanding Issues Affecting the Later Stages of Life, 2nd ed. (1991) was provided to staff members of a facility to help healthcare providers develop personal insight into the aging process through role play. This game has provided the staff members with a better understanding of the issues patients experience as they deal with declines in health.

A creative alternative for providing constant observation on an acute-brain-injury unit.

A performance improvement project to explore creative alternatives to improve the efficiency of constant observation was performed on an acute-brain-injury rehabilitation unit. The goals of the project were to increase opportunities for therapeutic cognitive stimulation among patients, increase nursing satisfaction regarding efficient use of resources to deliver rehabilitative care, decrease constant-observation salary costs, and maintain fall and restraint rates within 10% of baseline. Implementing the project involved developing a new job description (rehabilitation patient companion) and creating a day room where patients receiving constant observation could go between therapies to receive therapeutic cognitive stimulation. The program benefited patients, staff and the hospital. This project illustrates how a creative alternative to constant observation proves beneficial on many levels and improves the delivery of rehabilitative care to patients with traumatic brain injury.

Physical restraint reduction in the acute rehabilitation setting: a quality improvement study.

A prospective, continuous quality improvement study was implemented at a hospital on two rehabilitation units: stroke and brain injury. The purpose of the study was to decrease restraint use by 25% and to maintain fall rates no greater than 10% over baseline. A multi-component restraint reduction program was implemented that focused on administrative support, education, consultation, and feedback. Monthly restraint rates and fall rates were monitored and compared to the previous year's rates. Both units reduced restraint use. Importantly, this reduction was accomplished at the same time as a decline in fall rates.