Clinical Practice Guidelines and Evidence-Based Reviews for Neuroscience Nurses

The guidelines and reviews in the AANN Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) series provide an overview of evidence-based practices for nursing management of specific patient populations with neurological injuries.

CPGs and evidence-based reviews are available for free to members and the general public. Please click the "download" button to view the documents. Some CPGs and reviews have associated continuing education (CE) contact hours, available via a CE bundle of a webinar and an online exam.

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs)

Clinical Practice Guideline: Mobilization of the Patient After Neurological Insult

Evidence-based recommendations are needed to guide nurses in safe and effective implementation of early mobilization practices in this patient population.

For this reason, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) formed a writing group with the aim of conducting a systematic literature review to evaluate the evidence and determine best practice recommendations for early mobilization of neuroscience patients.

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Clinical Practice Guideline: Nursing Care of the Patient with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Medical and surgical management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has been extensively studied, with numerous organizations conducting critical reviews of the scientific literature to formulate evidence-based recommendations. However, nursing management of this population has been examined less, and evidence-based recommendations are needed to guide nursing care when working with these high-risk patients.

In response, the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) appointed a writing group to conduct a critical review of the literature to determine best-practice recommendations for nursing care of patients with aSAH.

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Evidence-Based Reviews for Clinical Practice

Evidence-Based Clinical Review: Intracranial Monitoring

This evidence-based clinical review (EBCR) covers research literature on the care of patients with ICP moni-toring via external ventricular device (EVD), intraparen-chymal drain, brain tissue oxygen (PbtO₂) monitoring system, and bispectral index (BIS) for the most common neurologic diagnoses requiring monitoring.

AANN members can access 1 CE for free by viewing a recorded webinar and completing an exam. Non-members can access the CE bundle for the list price of $15.

This publication was made possible with support from Natus.

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Evidence-Based Strategies for Care of the Patient with Movement Disorders and Deep Brain Stimulation

The purpose of this review of the literature is to provide nurses with evidence-based strategies to care for adult patients with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and movement disorders requiring deep brain stimulation.

The target population for this review is the adult client with Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, or dystonia. Although this review was not created for the pediatric client, many of the recommendations may apply to the pediatric client with movement disorders.

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Care of the Pediatric Patient with a Brain Tumor

The purpose of this evidence-based review is to provide an up-to-date and thorough review and assessment of the literature; nursing care recommendations based on the evidence in the literature; and, in the absence of published scientific evidence, recommendations based on expert opinion. The intended audience is bedside nurses caring for pediatric patients with brain tumors.

This comprehensive, yet concise, review will serve as a reference for the care of children with brain tumors, from acute diagnosis to long-term survivorship.

This publication was supported by an educational grant from the American Brain Tumor Association.

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Care of the Adult Patient with a Brain Tumor

This evidence-based review summarizes nursing literature related to brain tumors, with a focus on the adult patient, and to create a reference for neuroscience nurses who care for patients with brain tumors throughout their lifespan across the continuum of care.

This publication was supported by an educational grant from the American Brain Tumor Association.

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Care of the Patient with Myasthenia Gravis

The purpose of this evidence-based review is to summarize literature about myasthenia gravis (MG), with a concentrated focus on the adult with acquired MG, and to create a reference for neuroscience nurses who care for the patient with MG across the continuum of care throughout the lifespan.

This publication was supported by an educational grant from the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.

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Cervical Spine Surgery: A Guide to Preoperative and Postoperative Patient Care

Degenerative cervical spine disease is a common problem associated with aging. It is often asymptomatic or experienced as episodic neck pain.

This evidence-based review is a valuable resource for nurses responsible for the care of spine patients. It is not intended to replace formal education but rather to augment the knowledge of clinicians and provide a readily available reference tool.

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Neurologic Assessment of the Older Adult: A Guide for Nurses

The purpose of this evidence-based review is to assist registered nurses, patient care units, and institutions in providing safe and effective care to older adults with neurologic conditions. Whether the older adult is experiencing an acute neurologic event or a chronic disabling condition, nurses are pivotal in assessment, treatment, and continuing care.

Resources and recommendations for practice should enable nurses to provide an optimal assessment of the older adult in order to inform best practice.

This publication was made possible, in part, by support of the author by a Claire M. Fagin Building Academic Geriatric Nursing Capacity Fellowship from the John A. Hartford Foundation and Multidisciplinary Research Career Development Award 5 K12 RR023265-03 from the National Center for Research Resources, a component of the National Institutes of Health.

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Nursing Care of Adults with Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

The purpose of this review of the literature is to provide nurses with evidence‐based strategies to care for adult patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). Although this review targets the care of the adult patient with sTBI during acute hospitalizations, this review may be used for caring for patients with sTBI in a variety of healthcare settings and across the continuum of care.

AANN members can access 2 CE for free by viewing a recorded webinar and completing an exam. Non-members can access the CE bundle for the list price of $15.

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Clinical Practice Guideline Series Disclosure

A staff member, volunteer or family member who has an affiliation with a commercial company must declare that relationship in advance of involvement with an education activity that could be used as a forum to promote interest of that company and its products. None of the authors or planners has anything to disclose related to this activity.

Non-endorsement of products: AANN does not endorse any products in any of the CPGs.

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