Using an Evidence-Based Care Package to Improve Emergency Nursing Management of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Background: Immediate evaluation and management of brain trauma patients improves disease outcomes and reduces the neurobehavioral consequences of the injury. Emergency nurses are expected to manage patients based on the best available evidence.Aim: The present study was performed with aim to develop and implement an evidence-based care package for the management of brain trauma patients.Method: This semi-experimental study was conducted on 60 nurses in the emergency departments from November 2022 to May 2023. The subjects were randomly assigned to intervention (n=30) and control (n=30) groups. The data collection tool included a demographic questionnaire and a brain trauma management checklist. The intervention included 4 training workshops based on the comprehensive evidence-based care package during two weeks. Both groups were assessed through a checklist before and after the intervention during 8 weeks.Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in the mean scores of care management before the intervention (p<0.001). In addition, the variables of employment status and education level were not the same in the two groups. Therefore, the pretest score, employment status, and education level were included in the model as a covariate, and their effect was adjusted. The mean score of care management after the intervention in the intervention group was 12.3 points higher than that of the control group (p<0.001).Implications for Practice: Evidence-based care package improved the management of brain trauma patients, so it can be considered a simple and affordable solution to implement evidence-based practice and overcome the existing obstacles.

Keywords

• brain trauma
• care package
• emergency nursing
• evidence-based practice
• nursing management