PT fall without injury

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Hi if patient on blood thinner hit the head but no no injury and stays at baseline would you still send patient to ER? If your facility doesn't allow you to take VS? 

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If there is no visible injury and they seem okay then I probably would not send them out. 

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Physician should be notified immediately to obtain an order for a head CT.

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May depend on several factors. If they have redness at site that they hit their head, weight of the patient, type of anticoagulant (warfarin, heparin, vs Eliquis),  baseline orientation (x1 or x4).  If they seem OK, no redness at site, probably do neuros by protocol until they are abnormal. If they are AxOx1-2 at baseline, that takes more assessment. If they are on blood thinners, I would call the doctor, let them know and have them determine. 

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Your facility doesn't allow you to take VS?  

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Heather Glen said:

Physician should be notified immediately to obtain an order for a head CT.

If you can't do so much as check a BP and HR where are you going to find a scanner? I can't imagine what kind of facility this is.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I take Eliquis and have been instructed to seek a head CT for any blow to my head. I would advise contacting the provider and let them decide if scanning is necessary. 

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Specializes in CVICU.

I'd say follow facility protocol, but in general brain bleeds have the potential to be slow and not manifest right away so I'd err on the side of caution.

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Specializes in Leadership, Psych, HomeCare, Amb. Care.

A brain bleed can be slow and without immediate manifestation.  Plus, why did they fall in the first place?

We don't know the patient's history or code and treatment status. Call the doctor, let them make the decision.

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What is your facility policy? I would carefully document my assessment and then follow the facility policy and document that I did. My license would not be owning that one. 

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Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

Can I suggest a new job. 

do you really want to work in a facility that is dictating your practice to that level?

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YES absolutely you need to take them to the ED.

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