More patients are surviving after catastrophic brain injury and are in a disorder of consciousness (DOC). The best practice intervention for this population is sensory stimulation therapy. However, this is rarely delivered in the acute setting. The neurosurgery allied health team identified this gap in service delivery. It was found families have limited understanding of DOC and staff have reduced confidence and skills in managing these patients. To provide best practice care, the team implemented patient-centred, family-led sensory rehabilitation resources. The effectiveness of the education package was evaluated through pre-post surveys. This package led to increased staff and family knowledge, confidence and skills.
DEAR DOC: ‘Delivering Education and Resources for staff and families of patients with Disorders of Consciousness’
Initiative Type
Service Improvement
Status
Deliver
Added
28 November 2019
Last updated
15 April 2020
Summary
Key dates
Jun 2018
Jun 2020
Implementation sites
Princess Alexandra Hospital
Aim
To evaluate the effectiveness of a family and staff education package in enhancing knowledge, confidence and skills of staff and families surrounding DOC and sensory stimulation.
Method: Standardised education packages were delivered to:
1. staff members on the Neurosciences Ward, and
2. families of patients with DOC.
Pre- and post-education surveys were used to measure family and staff knowledge,satisfaction,confidence and skill in providing education andsensory stimulation to patients with DOC.
Benefits
Preliminary data suggests that a newly developed family and staff education package has the potential to enhance family and staff knowledge, confidence and skills surrounding management of patients with DOC. This project provides data regarding the previously unmet need of early education to family members regarding DOC and sensory stimulation and a standardised staff education package. The team plan to continue data collection until mid-2020 and roll out the education packages across other wards within the hospital that regularly treat patients with a DOC.
Background
Disorders of consciousness (DOC) occur post severe acquired brain injury (ABI). Consciousness includes wakefulness (sleep/wake cycle, reflex responses) and awareness (variable degree of interaction with surroundings). Sensory stimulation therapy (touch, sound, visual, taste stimuli) is provided in a controlled manner to elucidate awareness, without overstimulation, and is specialised work. To optimise gains post-ABI, a specialised, multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach and family education is imperative. Despite this, education provision to families is inconsistent. Little is known about the effects of timely education regarding DOC and sensory stimulation on family, nor on staff skill/confidence.
Recent literature supports the importance of early distinction between phases of DOC and the need for healthcare professionals to monitor progress of these patients and address their needs for rehabilitation. There is significant literature to support the implementation of early sensory stimulation with patients with DOC as part of their rehabilitation program. Current research does not measure the effects of timely education on family members, nor the impacts of a standardised MDT management plan on staff skill and confidence when working with this population within an acute setting.
