Portable Head CT Scan and its Effect on Intracranial Pressure (ICP), Ce

A portable Computed Tomography (CT) is used to manage and diagnose CNS diseases, and acute brain injuries, in the Neuroscience ICU (NICU), for example, Traumatic Brain Injuries(TBI), acute strokes, (transient ischemic attack) TIA’s, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). CT studies are an important component in the assessment and management of patients with brain injuries. The portable device is designed specifically for head and neck scans for critically ill patients that are at risk for complications and increased morbidity during intrahospital transportation. Researchers have studied and found evidence that substantiates that intrahospital transport of patients with SAH or brain injuries can affect their outcomes. Many hospital protocols dictate the use of portable head CT (pHCT) scanners to monitor and assess critically ill patients in the NICU, to decrease negative effects of intrahospital transportation on patient outcomes. This is an important factor in reduction and pre vention secondary injuries in critically ill patients. The intention of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis of a related research article. The article reviewed is Portable Head CT Scan and its Effect on Intracranial Pressure (ICP), Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP), and Brain Oxygen. First, there will be an identification of the premise of the study through an article synopsis. Second, validity of the study will be described and discussed. Lastly, this paper will discuss how this research is applicable to Neuro ICU at UNM Hospital. Article Synopsis: The authors of this research article were from the Departments of Neurosurgery, Neurology, Anesthesiology & Critical Care, Nursing, and Biostatistics & Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania... ... The research conducted by Peace et.al. raises a valid hypothesis that warrants further study in order to decrease the risks to patients on NICU and other units, in all hospitals. Studies with significant reliability data, high internal and external validity, are imperative in making changes in hospitals around the world to decrease secondary injury to patient populations and increasing their chances of full recovery from their injuries. Although, this particular study resulted in preliminary data, similar protocols found in this study are implemented by the UNM NICU. Works Cited Peace, K., Maloney-Wilensky, E., Frangos, S., Hujcs, M., Levine, J., Kofke, W.A., Yang, W., & Le Roux, P.D. (2011). Portable head CT scan and its effect on intracranial pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure, and brain oxygen. Journal of Neurosurgery, 114(5), 1479-1484.