The impact of fundamental nursing care on patients' neurorehabilitative outcomes (2024-)
The goal is to strengthen the evidence-base for measuring fundamental nursing performance in order to provide systematic evidence for the impact of nursing on patients neurorehabilitative outcomes. The method is epidemiological research.
The programme primarily uses data from the electronic patient records extracted through the BI portal of Central Denmark Region. The research program contains several substudies packages:
- Systematic reviews on risk assessment and measurement methods for constipation and indicators used internationally to monitor the quality of nursing care
- Cohort studies on potential associations between performed nursing care and patients neurorehabilitative outcomes, eg. Functional scores, Patient safety (pressure ulcers, weight change, constipation, infections during hospitalization), emergency admission and Patient reported outcomes (PROs). Measures on performed nursing will be based on results from WP1 and the literature reviews.
- Cohort studies on potential associations between eg. nursing patient ratio and "missed nursing care" and patients neurorehabilitative outcomes, respectively
Inequality in visitation and outcome after neurorehabilitation (2023-2025)
The purpose is to provide research-based knowledge that can ensure that patients with acquired brain injury receive neurorehabilitation at the right level of specialization, so that the patients get the service they need and resources are used in the most optimal way. The method is epidemiological research. Data from national registers at Statistics Denmark and The Danish Health Data Authority as well as data from the national clinical quality databases will be used.
It is hypothesised, that the probability of receiving neurorehabilitation on the highly specialized level (HS-rehabilitation) is greater for patients from Central Denmark Region compared with patients from North Denmark Region and Region Southern Denmark.
Potential associations between HS-rehabilitation and the following neurorehabilitative outcomes are also examined: Mortality, Consumption of health care (emergency admission, Number of days in hospital, medication, use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, contacts to general practitioner/ psychiatrist/ psychologists' municipal services and free of charge physiotherapy, nursing home), and Labour market attachment and completed education.
Mouth and Orofacial Health Individualized Treatment (MOHIT) Plan for patients with Brain Injury: A Standardized Clinical Approach (2023-2026)
The overall purpose of the project is to improve and modify an existing oral health tool and treatment plan for the use of nurses in the clinical practice for patients with acquired brain injury (ABI), acknowledging ABI patients' swallowing disorders, frailty and malnutrition status.
Prevalence, diagnosis and prevention of bruxism in patients with ABI (2023-2025)
The purpose of this project is to investigate the degree of bruxism, validate a diagnostic tool and prevent permanent tooth damage and contribute with new basic knowledge in the field. We will investigate the a) the occurrence b) the diagnostic validity and a c) a preventive treatment against bruxism in ABI patients.
Effect of IQoro on swallowing function and decannulation: A randomized controlled pilot trial (2022-2024)
To investigate the effect of IQoro on swallowing function and decannulation in relation to usual practice, in persons with ABI and tracheal tube.
Nutritional care following an acquired brain injury (NUCABI): Cross-sectional continuity and evidence based interventions (2022-2026)
The purpose is to enhance patients' functionality, quality of life, prevent complications, decrease mortality rates and health-related costs. This is achieved through the consolidation of nutrition as a fundamental component in high quality evidence based cross-sectional rehabilitation following an acquired moderate to severe brain injury.
The aim is to develop, implement, test and evaluate a nurse-led intervention to improve the nutritional state of patients at risk for or malnourished during the cross-sectional rehabilitation trajectory following a moderate to severe brain injury.
The research project consists of two separate but interrelated studies that addresses over- and underweight respectively. Each study contains a several sub-studies in a stepwise approach, in line with the methodological approach of the UK Medical Research Council's framework for developing complex interventions.
First register-based follow-up studies of prevalence and disease burden to identify the target group and associated consequences. The second state of the art knowledge: A scoping review to identify existing knowledge addressing malnutrition and societal inclusion in combination with experiences from patients, relatives and professionals. Thereafter the descriptive elements will be used to design and develop the NUCABI intervention.
Finally, a feasibility test and evaluation consisting of quanititative elements to measure effect in combination with qualitative descriptions from professionals and patients/their relatives.
