Date of Scholarly Project Submission
5-2022
Degree Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Nursing
Faculty Chairperson
Anne Stein, PhD, FNP-BC, COHN-S
Second Committee Member
Theresa Durley, DNP, MPA, CRNA, FNP-C
Third Committee Member
Kristen Smith, DNP, MSN, RNC-NIC, FNP-BC
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a major public health burden affecting both children and adults in the U. S. (Sarmiento et al., 2019; Schuchat, Houry, & Baldwin, 2018). The management of mTBI at summer camps is not well characterized in the literature. Epidemiologic studies on summer camps have reported that 25% of all injuries were to the head, face and/or neck (Kolberg et al., 2020; Robinson, Arbogast, Garst & Corwin 2019). The purpose of this project was to evaluate the impact of evidence-based instructions for follow-up with a healthcare provider in patients presenting with mTBI-like symptoms to a health clinic at a rural summer sports camp. The number of symptoms over time and risk factors for protracted recovery were explored in this small, prospective, observational project. Most of the patients (82%, n = 6) followed-up within 2 weeks of injury with primary care (43%, n = 6) or the camp nurse (36%, n = 5). The total number of symptoms decreased over time, but those with ≥ 3 risk factors reported a greater median number of symptoms after 2 weeks. Three patients (27%) reported persistent symptoms after 4 weeks. Adapting mTBI guidelines to the summer camp setting, using available evidence-based resources for anticipatory guidance and follow-up recommendations would be beneficial (Lumba-Brown et al., 2018a; McCrory et al., 2017).
Recommended Citation
Bergner, Eva G., "EFFECTS OF EVIDENCE-BASED DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS ON FOLLOW-UP WITH A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH MTBI-LIKE SYMPTOMS TO A HEALTH CLINIC AT A RURAL SPORTS CAMP IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST IN THE U.S." (2022). DNP Scholarly Projects. 27.
https://commons.nmu.edu/dnp/27