Factors that influence outcome of traumatic brain injury patients at Kenyatta National Hospital
Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the leading causes of admissions in hospitals globally. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.TBI is a neurosurgical emergency and timely intervention is critical to favorable outcome. Patients admitted at Critical Care Unit with TBI patients which accounts for 62% and an average of six admissions in 24 hours at Accident &Emergency department. Objectives: To determine the patients’ factors, clinical care and systems factors affecting outcome of traumatic brain injury patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for this study. Purposive sampling method was adopted and a check list was used for data collection. Sample size was 91TBI subjects .Data was analyzed using Statistical Package on Social Science (SPSS) software. Results: The patient factors and institutional protocols influenced outcome of traumatic brain injury patients’ management. Patient factors were;> 40 years had poor outcome (p=0.042), casual laborers were at risk of TBI (p=0.043), Polytrauma had significance to poor outcome (p=0.042) and time lapse from trauma to hospitalization (p=0.051).The clinical care factors influenced good outcome which included; diagnosis and medication (p=0.001), Nursing care (p=0.055) and clinical setting A&E (p=0.051), CCU (p=0.032).Protocols factors, patients admitted to surgical wards had poor outcome (p=0.051). Conclusion: Prevention of TBI is the standard, where it fails early hospitalization and intensive care is paramount for good outcome.
Recommendation: Neuro intensive care unit, Neuro emergency ward set up and training of Neuro teams for critical care and management of traumatic brain injury patients at KNH.
Citation
Msc.Sponsorhip
University of NairobiPublisher
University of Nairobi School of Nursing Sciences, University of Nairobi