Publications & Resources Quality improvement projects Serious traumatic brain injury (sTBI) project Publications & Resources Annual reports & strategic plans Quality improvement projects Major trauma rehabilitation project Whānau Māori experiences of major trauma Serious traumatic brain injury (sTBI) project National critical haemorrhage project Trauma patient reported outcomes Trauma resources Out-of-hospital Traumatic Brain Injury Toolkit Trauma Nursing Framework Clinical guidelines Other publications Audio interviews and Conference videos Audio interviews Conference videos Serious traumatic brain injury (sTBI) project sTBI Acute workstream sTBI Rehabilitation workstream Summary of improvement work The aim of this project is to achieve national consistency in the acute management of sTBI that reduces mortality and secondary injury.BackgroundAround 35 percent of all major trauma experienced in Aotearoa New Zealand have an associated sTBI.Early analysis of New Zealand Trauma Registry data suggests there is some variation in how sTBI is managed and outcomes for patients who suffer sTBI, by population, geography and destination hospital. This variation is probably driven by a mix of diagnostic, prognostic and system factors and may present barriers for people who need to access the right care in the right place at the right time following serious injury.Such variation is not well understood and may impact patients’ and whānau long-term recovery and have consequences for use of health care services and costs of care. Managing variation at the population level would present opportunities for improvement at a national level and allow local or regional approaches to be tested.Summary The serious traumatic brain injury (sTBI) project is one of three areas of focus within the quality improvement workstream of the major trauma collaboration between the National Trauma Network (the Network) and Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission (Te Tāhū Hauora), as funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). The overarching aims of the sTBI project are to: develop national consistency in the acute management of patients with isolated or complex sTBI to reduce mortality and secondary injury morbidity regardless of geographic location of injury ensure that all major trauma patients at risk of TBI are screened early and that those who need it receive the rehabilitation required for optimal recovery. Click here for a comprehensive summary of the project. Project lead Dr David Knight is an intensive care specialist from Christchurch. He completed his ICU training in 2006 with an extended clinical and research period at one of the largest trauma hospitals in the UK. During his specialist career, he has developed an interest in neurocritical care, education and development of robust multispecialty collaboration. He has a passion for sustainable improvement and ensuring that our critical care systems can deliver when faced with even the greatest challenges. He is relishing the opportunity to work on a national collaborative to identify and deliver tangible benefits to patients with brain injury throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. If you have any questions, please contact project lead David Knight at: help@majortrauma.nz. Home search About Us Our History Our Vision Our People Regional Trauma Networks Publications & Resources Annual reports and plans Quality improvement projects Major trauma rehabilitation project Whānau Māori experiences of major trauma Serious traumatic brain injury (sTBI) project National critical haemorrhage project Trauma patient reported outcomes Trauma resources Out-of-hospital Traumatic Brain Injury T Trauma Nursing Framework Clinical guidelines Other publications Audio interviews and Conference videos Audio interviews Conference videos Research Trauma Registry National Minimum Data Set for trauma Governance and access to registry data Information for patients News & Events News Community stories Communique Conferences Training & education Trauma Team Training Log in
