Discharge Instructions of Fung et al for a Patient in the Emergency Department with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Description

Mild traumatic brain injury is relatively common. Often there is no sequelae but sometimes the injury can be more serious than expected. Fung et al listed instructions for a patieint discharged from the Emergency Department following mild head injury. The authors are from the University of New York in Buffalo.

Patient selection: mild traumatic brain injury

Number of evidence-based risk factors for significant brain injury: 6

Period of observation: 24 hours

Risk Factor	What an Observer Looks Out For
Glasgow Coma Score < 15	fainting or sleepiness
vomiting	vomiting or throwing up
headache	constant headache, especially if worsening
amnesia	unable to remember new events
seizure	any jerking of the body or limbs
neurologic deficit	unable to move any part of body, change in behavior, confusion

Instructions:

(1) If one or more of these things occur then the doctor should be called or the patient brought to the Emergency Department.

(2) Tylenol can be taken for pain.

(3) Aspirin or pain pills should not be taken for the first 24 hours.

(4) Sports and strenuous activities should not be engaged in until the doctor determines that it is safe to do so.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10