Promoting Positive Recovery in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Through a Stimulatory Environment

Abstract

Record ID: 121

Award(s): Excellence in Research Mentoring

Student Major: Nursing

Project Advisor: Faud Alhorani

Abstract: In the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU), a stimulatory environment is not a maintained area of practice for patients in a Traumatic-Brain-Injury (TBI) induced coma. The purpose of this project is to potentially improve traumatic-brain-injury-related coma patients' consciousness levels (Glasgow Coma Scale) by educating the NSICU nurses on the positive effects of a stimulatory environment for these patients. CINAHL, MEDLINE, EBSCO, and PubMed databases were utilized to obtain research-based evidence that studied the progression of the GCS score for a stimulatory and control environment during patients' recovery process. A slideshow presentation was utilized to provide educational material for the NSICU nurses. Pamphlets were also offered that emphasized key points to the audience. A pre-and post-education test was offered to obtain baseline data and measure the NSICU nurses' knowledge improvement about the topic. The results show that the education was effective and applicable. The learners had rated an improvement in knowledge after the education. Before the education, the average score for knowledge of TBI patients was 71%. In the post-test, the average was 80%. When evaluating the understanding of the GCS, the average score increased from 87% to 90%. Understanding the effect of environmental stimuli on comatose patients showed an increase from 66% to 79%. Limitations include that though a scale was used to determine the effectiveness of education, observation of the implementation and effects of this over the recovery period is unable to be completed. In conclusion, educating nurses on a stimulatory environment may improve outcomes for comatose patients.