title: Clinical pathways in head injury: improving the quality of care with early rehabilitation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To improve the management of all hospital admissions with head injuries, including mild and moderate by developing a clinical pathway and a head injury team.
  
  
  METHODS
  A head injury team was set up to take over the care of all admissions with head injury and to manage appropriate referrals and discharges. A key role was to facilitate communication between the different services involved in head injury care, arrange follow-up, support relatives and to educate healthcare staff.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the first year, the team took over the care of 196 admissions of whom 128 attended for 3-month follow-up with 66% having a good outcome. Patients and relatives feedback was excellent with an average score of 4.8/5 on overall satisfaction rating. Other centers in the United Kingdom are aiming to set up similar pathways, and the team has presented on head injury pathways extensively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A clinical pathway can improve the quality of care for all admissions with head injury and enhance the role for rehabilitation at an early stage.
authors: Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Osborn Unit, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK. rajiv.singh@sth.nhs.uk
authors: Rajiv
authors: R
authors: Singh
authors: Guruprasad
authors: G
authors: Venkateshwara
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Kirkland
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Batterley
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Bruce
mesh_terms: D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom