Brain Catheter Offers Better Monitoring of Neurology Patients
With BWH’s addition of a new three-pronged brain catheter, neuroscience nurses are able to get more accurate monitoring of their most critically ill patients.
Like its predecessors, the new technology offers the traditional intracranial pressure monitor. However, the two additional probes provide monitoring of oxygen and temperature within the injured portion of the brain.
“The oxygen and temperature sensors give us a great deal more information and awareness regarding the state of the patient,” said Shaun Golden, BSN, RN, CNRN. “Early recognition of dropping oxygen levels or increasing temperatures allows us to take mitigating action more quickly. We can be more aggressive in our treatment.”
While the brain catheter has been used in the care of only a few patients thus far, Mary Pennington, BSN, RN, CNRN, CCRN, nurse educator for the neurosciences ICU, has been busy educating nurses for broader usage. Patients who will benefit from the brain catheter are those suffering from stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or any trauma causing increased intracranial pressure.
If your department has recently implemented new technology that has greatly impacted patient care, BWH Nurse wants to know. Contact Tricia Oliver at 617- 534-1600.