Study suggests new treatment guidelines to reduce TBI fatalities

March 22, 2014 (Press-News.org) Anyone in Orleans County, Louisiana, who has experienced a brain injury or been close to someone affected by one knows how devastating these injuries are. A traumatic brain injury can be fatal or cause cognitive effects that last for life, which is why TBIs and means of treatment are the subject of many widespread research efforts. A recent study offers hope for future TBI victims by suggesting ways to improve the treatment of TBI patients, lowering the risk of fatalities and other complications.

Monitoring guidelines reduce deaths

The study spanned 8 years and used data collected from 22 New York trauma centers, according to a press release posted on Science Daily. Over the course of the study, TBI-related fatalities dropped from 22 percent to 13 percent as medical professionals observed the following guidelines:
- Increasing monitoring of intracranial pressure.
- Treating and managing cerebral perfusion pressure based on new thresholds.
- Avoiding steroid medications.
- Following new nutritional recommendations.

In addition to a decrease in fatalities, the study found a decrease in the number of patients with intracranial hypertension and systemic hypotension, which are both conditions that can lead to additional neurological problems.

Improvements in early management and treatment of TBI can make a significant difference for victims. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states on its website that, since there are not currently treatments to reverse the effects of TBI, effective treatment to stabilize the patient and prevent additional injury is critical. The press release reports that 85 percent of TBI fatalities occur during the 2 weeks after the injury.

Despite the hope that modern TBI research offers, it is not enough to prevent new injuries or help victims who survived past injuries but now lead completely different lives. Since TBIs will still occur and have lasting consequences, it important for victims to understand their rights following one of these life-changing injuries.

When TBI victims are entitled to help

Sometimes, a TBI occurs under unforeseeable circumstances that truly could not have been prevented, but in other cases, these injuries occur when a person has acted negligently. A TBI might occur in a crash caused by a careless driver, a dangerous work environment or a property owner's failure to maintain a safe space, among many other circumstances.

If another person's negligent actions have caused a devastating injury like a TBI, the victim may be entitled to compensation. It is especially important for TBI victims to explore their options for recourse, since brain injuries can have such serious physical, emotional and financial costs. The NINDS states that TBI victims may face issues like impaired cognitive ability, changes in sensory perception, decreased ability to communicate, emotional changes and behavioral changes. These changes can affect everything from a victim's relationships to his or her ability to work.

If you or a loved one has been affected by a TBI and you believe that someone else's negligence played a role, you should speak with an attorney about the specifics of the accident and your rights.

Article provided by Bravo Law Firm
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