Operationalization of the Transition to Comfort Measures Only in the Neurocritical Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Project.

Introduction:: Transition to comfort measures only (CMO) is common in the neurocritical care unit, and close communication between interdisciplinary health-care teams is vital to a smooth transition. We developed and implemented a CMO huddle in an effort to reduce inconsistencies during the process of CMO transition.

Methods:: The CMO huddle was a multiphase quality improvement project in a neurocritical care unit of a level-1 trauma and comprehensive stroke center.

Impact of Alcohol Screening for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Being Admitted to Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and describe the importance of alcohol screening for all patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine the relationship between gender, age, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS), emergent decompressive craniectomy, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) from the emergency department (ED), and the length of stay with alcohol screening.

Method: This is a retrospective analysis of de-identified data from the 2012 TBI registry of a level 1 trauma center in the Pacific Northwest.

Measurements And Main Results: Of 1591 patients with TBI, 1273 (80%) were screened for alcohol use and 318 (20%) were not screened.

Palliative Care Needs in the Neuro-ICU.

Objectives: Patients admitted to the neurological or neurosurgical ICU are likely to have palliative care needs. The goals of this project are to encourage the ICU team to identify palliative care needs for patients and their families and potential ways to meet those needs.

Design: Quality improvement project using a parallel-group prospective cohort design.