Background: The neurological examination in critically ill patients is limited due to decreased level of consciousness and sedating medications. Electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to monitor brain injury; however, availability is limited.
Methods: To determine the perceived need for EEG monitoring in the ICU and its current availability, we used rigorous methodology to develop and disseminate a survey to 199 Canadian critical care physicians.
Results: Of 103 (52%) respondents (77% academic practice; 83% adult focus), 75% stated EEG monitoring should be a standard of care; yet, 75.5% were unable to obtain an EEG in an optimal timeframe. Technology under-use was exacerbated during non-standard working hours and greater in adult institutions. Perceived barriers to optimal care were lack of EEG technicians, physicians to interpret EEG and finances.
Conclusion: Sub-optimal availability of EEG represents an important gap in the care of neurologically injured patients. Specific barriers represent targets for quality improvement.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:OTU.1807/30569 |
| Date | 07 December 2011 |
| Creators | Davies-Schinkel, Corrine |
| Contributors | Fowler, Robert |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | en_ca |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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