Enhancing recovery via neuro-rehab rounds

The neurologically injured patient experiences physiological and psychological disruptions regardless of the type of severity of injury. Through increased knowledge, nurses planning care can minimize loss of functional ability, anticipate complications and enhance recovery. Neuro-rehab rounds were developed to increase the involvement of support therapies for the patient in the neurotrauma intensive care unit (ICU) of a particular hospital. Increasing the critical care nurses' awareness of rehabilitation principles was the secondary goal. This protocol decreased length of stay, increased mobilization of patients in the ICU and provided for continuity of care for the neurologically injured patient. Rounds also redirected and expanded the focus for critical care nurses from episodic to one more outcome related.