GUIDELINES FOR EVALUATION AND EDUCATION OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH MILD TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES IN AN ACUTE-CARE HOSPITAL SETTING

The purpose of this article is to provide practice guidelines that out line a systematic approach to be followed in an acute care setting wit h patients who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Mos t patients are seen briefly in an emergency department and then releas ed, with little or no information concerning the sequelae of mild TBI. This article reviews the literature supporting the importance of earl y education of patients concerning the possible effects of mild TBI an d proposes a specific protocol to be followed in providing patients wi th medical assessment, a brief cognitive screening evaluation, educati onal information, and follow-up treatment.