patient accident serious condition in koma medical report

by Pearline Lehner 9 min read

Coma: Causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook

18 hours ago  · An incident is an unexpected event that affects patient or staff safety. The typical healthcare incidents are related to physical injuries, medical errors, equipment failure, administration, patient care, or others. In short, anything that endangers a patient’s or staff’s safety is called an incident in the medical system. >> Go To The Portal


What are the complications of a coma?

Some people who recover from a coma may have major or minor disabilities. Complications may develop during a coma, including pressure sores, bladder infections, blood clots in the legs and other problems. Overview of coma and impaired consciousness.

What is a coma?

A coma is a state of deep unconsciousness. A person who is experiencing a coma cannot be awakened, and they do not react to the surrounding environment. They do not respond to pain, light, or sound in the usual way, and they do not make voluntary actions.

What are the medical conditions selected for investigation in a crash?

The medical conditions selected for investigation are chronic conditions assumed to have been present at the time of the crash. Since the police report and hospital discharge data are independently collected, there should be no bias on the part of the investigating police officer with respect to the medical conditions and crash culpability.

How should I evaluate a patient who has been in an accident?

It is essential to have your patients describe the details of the accident in depth. This is an important part of the evaluation, as it provides a context for their physical complaints and may give clues to the correct diagnosis. Some important questions to ask are: Was the patient the driver or a passenger?

What accident can cause coma?

CausesTraumatic brain injuries. These are often caused by traffic collisions or acts of violence.Stroke. Reduced or interrupted blood supply to the brain (stroke), can result from blocked arteries or a burst blood vessel.Tumors. ... Diabetes. ... Lack of oxygen. ... Infections. ... Seizures. ... Toxins.More items...•

What is damaged in a coma?

Comas are caused by damage to the brain, especially if there's bilateral damage to the cerebral cortex (which means damage on both sides), or damage to the reticular activating system. The reticular activating system controls arousal and awareness of the cerebral cortex.

When does a patient go into a coma?

During a coma, a person does not react to external stimuli, and they will not show normal reflex responses. People in a coma do not have sleep-wake cycles. Reasons for a coma include drug or alcohol intoxication, central nervous system disease, infections, and a stroke.

What does GCS 7t mean?

Certain scores on the Glasgow Coma Scale have significance. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7 or less are considered comatose. Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less are considered to have suffered a severe head injury.

Does coma mean brain damage?

A coma is a state of unconsciousness where a person is unresponsive and cannot be woken. It can result from injury to the brain, such as a severe head injury or stroke. A coma can also be caused by severe alcohol poisoning or a brain infection (encephalitis).

What is stage 3 coma?

A person in a deep coma has a Glasgow Coma Score of 3 (there is no lower score). The Rancho Level of Cognitive Functioning Scale (LCFS) is a scale used to assess cognitive functioning in people with brain injury.

How long can a person be in a coma?

Typically, a coma does not last more than a few days or couple of weeks. In some rare cases, a person might stay in a coma for several weeks, months or even years. Depending on what caused the person to go into a coma, some patients are able to return to their normal lives after leaving the hospital.

How long can a person be in a coma and still recover?

Most comas don't last more than two to four weeks. Recovery is typically gradual, with patients gaining awareness over time. They may be awake and alert for just a few minutes the first day, but gradually stay awake for longer and longer periods.

How are coma patients treated?

Doctors might give breathing assistance, intravenous medications and other supportive care. Treatment varies, depending on the cause of the coma. A procedure or medications to relieve pressure on the brain due to brain swelling might be needed.

What does GCS 15 mean?

The GCS is the summation of scores for eye, verbal, and motor responses. The minimum score is a 3 which indicates deep coma or a brain-dead state. The maximum is 15 which indicates a fully awake patient (the original maximum was 14, but the score has since been modified).

What does GCS 10 mean?

Severe, GCS 3 to 8. Moderate, GCS 9 to 12. Mild, GCS 13 to 15.

What does GCS 11 mean?

Severe: GCS 8 or less. Moderate: GCS 9-12. Mild: GCS 13-15.

What is clinical incident?

A clinical incident is an unpleasant and unplanned event that causes or can cause physical harm to a patient. These incidents are harmful in nature; they can severely harm a person or damage the property. For example—

What is clinical risk management?

Clinical risk management, a subset of healthcare risk management, uses incident reports as essential data points. Risk management aims to ensure the hospital administrators know their institution performance and identify addressable issues that increase their exposure.

What is an incident in healthcare?

An incident is an unfavourable event that affects patient or staff safety. The typical healthcare incidents are related to physical injuries, medical errors, equipment failure, administration, patient care, or others. In short, anything that endangers a patient’s or staff’s safety is called an incident in the medical system.

Why is incident reporting important?

Improving patient safety is the ultimate goal of incident reporting. From enhancing safety standards to reducing medical errors, incident reporting helps create a sustainable environment for your patients. Eventually, when your hospital offers high-quality patient care, it will build a brand of goodwill.

What are near miss incidents?

#2 Near Miss Incidents 1 A nurse notices the bedrail is not up when the patient is asleep and fixes it 2 A checklist call caught an incorrect medicine dispensation before administration. 3 A patient attempts to leave the facility before discharge, but the security guard stopped him and brought him back to the ward.

How long does it take to file an incident report?

Usually, nurses or other hospital staff file the report within 24 to 48 hours after the incident occurred. The outcomes improve by recording incidents while the memories of the event are still fresh.

Why is patient safety in hospitals in danger?

Patient safety in hospitals is in danger due to human errors and unsafe procedures. Everyone makes mistakes, even good doctors and nurses. However, by recording these mistakes, analysing and following up, we can avoid the future occurrence of mistakes/accidents. To err is human, they say.

What is critical condition?

As one doc told me, critical condition, by definition, requires care in a critical care or intensive care unit. In general, it’s the worst condition (other than, obviously, DOA) a patient can be in, with a high risk of death within the next 24 hours.

Who writes the staff report?

STAFF REPORTS ARE WRITTEN BY THE STRAIGHT DOPE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD, CECIL'S ONLINE AUXILIARY. THOUGH THE SDSAB DOES ITS BEST, THESE COLUMNS ARE EDITED BY ED ZOTTI, NOT CECIL, SO ACCURACYWISE YOU'D BETTER KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED.

What does it mean to be upgraded to serious?

Being upgraded to "serious" means there is a lower likelihood of death within 24 hours, but the patient still requires close observation. So, you’re definitely thought to be better off in "serious" condition than in "critical" condition, but you’re not ready to go run a marathon, or for that matter shuffle to the bathroom.

How long after incident should you report a patient?

Patient incident reports should be completed no more than 24 to 48 hours after the incident occurred. You may even want to file the report by the end of your shift to ensure you remember all the incident’s important details. RELATED: Near Miss Reporting: Why It’s Important.

How long does it take to file a patient incident report?

Patient incident reports should be completed no more than 24 to 48 hours after the incident occurred.

Why is it important to review patient incidents?

Reviewing incidents helps administrators know what risk factors need to be corrected within their facilities , reducing the chance of similar incidents in the future.

Why is 62 percent of incidents not reportable?

Staff did not consider 62 per cent of incidents as reportable, due to unclear incident reporting requirements. Because of this, the first step to incident management in any healthcare facility is writing strong, clear reporting requirements. Then, staff can submit reports that help correct problems of all types.

Why do we use resolved patient incident reports?

Using resolved patient incident reports to train new staff helps prepare them for real situations that could occur in the facility. Similarly, current staff can review old reports to learn from their own or others’ mistakes and keep more incidents from occurring. Legal evidence.

What to include in an incident report?

Every facility has different needs, but your incident report form could include: 1 Date, time and location of the incident 2 Name and address of the facility where the incident occurred 3 Names of the patient and any other affected individuals 4 Names and roles of witnesses 5 Incident type and details, written in a chronological format 6 Details and total cost of injury and/or damage 7 Name of doctor who was notified 8 Suggestions for corrective action

Why is it important to document an incident?

Even if an incident seems minor or didn’t result in any harm, it is still important to document it. Whether a patient has an allergic reaction to a medication or a visitor trips over an electrical cord, these incidents provide insight into how your facility can provide a better, safer environment.

What is a coma in medical terms?

A coma is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care for the person in a coma.

What are the symptoms of a coma?

Symptoms. The signs and symptoms of a coma commonly include: Closed eyes. Depressed brainstem reflexes, such as pupils not responding to light. No responses of limbs, except for reflex movements. No response to painful stimuli, except for reflex movements. Irregular breathing.

How long does a coma last?

A coma seldom lasts longer than several weeks. People who are unconscious for a longer time might transition to a persistent vegetative state or brain death.

How to tell if you are in a coma?

The signs and symptoms of a coma commonly include: 1 Closed eyes 2 Depressed brainstem reflexes, such as pupils not responding to light 3 No responses of limbs, except for reflex movements 4 No response to painful stimuli, except for reflex movements 5 Irregular breathing

Why do people go into a coma after a heart attack?

Blood sugar levels that become too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia) can cause a coma. Lack of oxygen. People who have been rescued from drowning or those who have been resuscitated after a heart attack might not awaken due to lack of oxygen to the brain. Infections.

Can seizures cause a coma?

Seizures. Ongoing seizures can lead to a coma.

Can you die from a coma?

Although many people gradually recover from a coma, others enter a vegetative state or die. Some people who recover from a coma end up with major or minor disabilities.

What is a patient medical report?

Patient Medical Report Example – This is what you need if you’re looking for a generic medical report template. This medical report targets any patient with certain illnesses, ideal for clinic or hospital use. This contains needed information such as patient’s complete name, address, contact details, questions about medical status/history, and other related medical questions.

What is a medical incident report template?

Medical Incident Report Template – This type of medical report focuses on any incident or accident that may happen within a medical setting. This is filled so that recording of details about incidents that occur at the medical facility will be tracked down and certain measures or sanctions will be implemented.

What are the different types of medical reports?

Types of Medical Report Templates 1 Patient Medical Report Example – This is what you need if you’re looking for a generic medical report template. This medical report targets any patient with certain illnesses, ideal for clinic or hospital use. This contains needed information such as patient’s complete name, address, contact details, questions about medical status/history, and other related medical questions. 2 Hospital Medical Report Template – This type of medical report is designed for hospital use. Information includes patient’s name, ward, hospital name, medical consultant, discharge summary, the reason for admission and medical diagnosis, and past medical history. 3 Medical Examination Report Example – If you’re making medical reports intended for medical examinations, perhaps you might want to download this template for more convenience. This is a complete template that targets examination reports in a medical setting. 4 Medical Incident Report Template – This type of medical report focuses on any incident or accident that may happen within a medical setting. This is filled so that recording of details about incidents that occur at the medical facility will be tracked down and certain measures or sanctions will be implemented. 5 Medical Fitness Report Template – Making medical reports for fitness progress? This template is what you need. This aims at providing a thorough and complete report for medical fitness. The template contains information such as applicant’s name, address, license number, name of the hospital/clinic who conducted the report, and questions related to medical fitness.

Why is it important to update medical reports?

In every patient’s life, change always comes, may it be a changed name, address, medical progress, or a new health diagnosis and prescription.

Why are medical reports important?

This is both under their supervision and that of the patient’s other significant physicians. Medical reports can provide significant, lifesaving information to health and medical care professionals. Not just that, they can track all medical procedures performed on a patient. Therefore medical reports are essential in every medical field.

When writing a patient's medical history, relevant medical conditions should be considered?

Thus, it can be in a report sample PDF document or report sample doc format. It is always a best practice to provide comments on specific investigations, measures, and management of the patient.

Is it a good practice to provide comments on specific investigations, measures, and management of the patient?

It is always a best practice to provide comments on specific investigations, measures, and management of the patient. However, there are times that if treatment is ongoing, an additional report may be needed.

When asking for a patient's condition update, must you first provide the media representative with the patient's full?

When asking for a patient’s condition update, you must first provide the media representative with the patient’s full name.

Do journalists work with medical teams?

Journalists should always work with our team first to coordinate interviews. Each team member represents several departments or specialties of medicine and is available to respond to media inquiries or interview requests in a timely manner. If you are a journalist and unsure which specialty would be most appropriate for your request, please send an inquiry to JHMedia@jhmi.edu. Thank you.

Can we elaborate on a patient's injury?

We cannot elaborate on a patient’s injuries, illness or prognosis without specific written consent by the patient or the patient’s family. This would be done only under limited circumstances involving public officials, celebrities or others whose stories are of extraordinary public interest.

What is the system used to report errors in hospitals?

Many hospitals have an established system for reporting errors, such as a suggestion box or a hot line. Use these systems. The problem will not be addressed if it is not reported.

How does quality affect patient safety?

Patient safety is an important element of an effective, efficient health care system where quality prevails. Here’s how you can break it down: 1 Safety has to do with lack of harm. Quality has to do with efficient, effective, purposeful care that gets the job done at the right time. 2 Safety focuses on avoiding bad events. Quality focuses on doing things well. 3 Safety makes it less likely that mistakes happen. Quality raises the ceiling so the overall care experience is a better one.

How many patients develop an infection in the hospital every year?

Every year, 1 out of every 25 patients develops an infection while in the hospital—an infection that didn’t have to happen. It’s important to remember that most hospital errors can be prevented. Hospitals need to work hard every day to protect their patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

Why is it important to remember that most hospital errors can be prevented?

It’s important to remember that most hospital errors can be prevented. Hospitals need to work hard every day to protect their patients from errors , injuries, accidents, and infections.

Why is patient safety important?

Here’s how you can break it down: Safety has to do with lack of harm. Quality has to do with efficient, effective, purposeful care that gets the job done at the right time. Safety focuses on avoiding bad events.

How to address a caregiver's problem?

Discuss the issue in a respectful, yet assertive manner. No one wants to make a mistake, so let the caregiver know so he or she can address the problem quickly.

Why is it important to be an active member of the health care team?

To ensure safe care, it is important to be an active member of the health care team.

What is the urgency message for patients in the wake of a motor vehicle accident?

Urgent message: Patients presenting to urgent care in the wake of a motor vehicle accident have self-selected their treatment setting. However, it is imperative to maintain vigilance for potentially serious and even life-threatening injuries that may not be apparent.

Why is it important to describe the details of an accident?

This is an important part of the evaluation, as it provides a context for their physical complaints and may give clues to the correct diagnosis.

What are the risks of a chest injury?

Direct trauma, rapid deceleration, and other mechanisms may lead to chest wall injuries, including rib fractures, cardiovascular contusion, aortic injury, pulmonary contusions, lacerations, or pneumothorax.#N#Risk factors for severe thoracic injury include high speed, no seat belt use, extensive vehicular damage, and steering wheel deformity. Inquiring about contact with the steering wheel, chest pain, palpitations, or trouble breathing is also important to the history. A complete visual inspection should be done, looking for a paradoxical movement of the chest wall, and identifying all wounds on the chest and back. The exact location, appearance, number, and type of wounds should be noted and well documented.#N#Auscultation for absent or diminished breath sounds may indicate a pneumothorax or hemothorax.#N#Palpation of the chest wall should be done carefully, feeling for subcutaneous emphysema or bony crepitus.#N#An electrocardiogram should be performed in all patients with anterior chest trauma, pain and tenderness directly over the mid-anterior chest, and in those patients with a history or active signs and symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease, as well as in the elderly. Findings concerning for cardiac contusion include unexplained persistent tachycardia, new bundle branch block (with right BBB being the most common), or dysrhythmia. These patients should be admitted for cardiac monitoring.

How to tell if you have an epidural hematoma?

Epidural hematomas present in 5% to 10% of patients with severe head injuries. A brief loss of consciousness at the time of the accident or an alteration in behavior may be the only clue to an epidural or subdural hematoma. Other signs and symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, unsteady gait, lack of awareness of surroundings, nausea, and vomiting may develop gradually.#N#The classic presentation is a patient who loses consciousness from the initial concussion, gradually recovers over a few minutes, and enters the “lucid interval” where they may be neurologically intact. Accumulation of blood form the lacerated artery may compress the brain and cause a shift, leading to a declining level of consciousness and eventually a second loss of consciousness with herniation and death. There can be a very short window of opportunity to intervene; this is considered a true emergency.

What percentage of TBI patients have post traumatic headaches?

Post-traumatic headaches are estimated to occur in 25% to 78% of patients with a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI); in the United States, 45% of TBIs are caused by MVAs. 1,2 The differential diagnoses of these headaches range from benign etiologies such as post-concussive syndromes, tension, or migraine, to more serious and potentially life-threating ones such as epidural hematomas, subdural hematomas, or injuries of the carotid or vertebral arteries.#N#It is incumbent upon us to seek out details that may cause concern in the history and exam.#N#The post-MVA headaches that we see most commonly in the urgent care center are tension headaches, which can be related to simple cervical strains. Often, these present as a persistent throbbing headache; unfortunately, this is nonspecific and odes not rule out a more serious cause which can present in a delayed fashion. Therefore, the examiner should look for concerning physical signs, such as extensive bruising and hematomas of the scalp, as well as a hematoma or bruit over the lateral neck.

Is post-concussive syndrome a traumatic head injury?

Post-concussive syndrome is a common sequela to traumatic head injuries, and may present with headaches, dizziness, inability to concentrate, or irritability that many persist for several weeks following the injury. This can be a diagnosis of exclusion, as these patients may need neuroimaging and further testing initially to rule our intracranial bleeding. Treatment is supportive with reassurance and education.

Can a patient die from blunt cardiac injury?

While most patients with blunt cardiac and pulmonary injury will die in the field, some life-threatening injuries, such as transection of the aorta, may have a delayed presentation.#N#Patients with a history of a rapid deceleration injury should be evaluated with a chest x-ray and possibly a chest CT, especially if the patient has persistent pain or dyspnea. In patients who appear clinically stable without a concerning mechanism of injury, further evaluation may not be necessary with the exception of obtaining an ECG.#N#However, if the symptoms are severe or if there are worrisome findings on the chest x0ray, such as multiple rib fractures, hemo-pneumothorax, pulmonary contusion, or a wide mediastinum, the patient should be transferred to the ED for further evaluation.