It’s getting better all the time? Using secular trends to understand the impact of neurocritical care

Excerpt

The field of neurocritical care has evolved substantially over the past two decades [1]. This has occurred coincident with the development and implementation of evidence and consensus-based guidelines for a range of neurological conditions for which patients are referred to intensive care units, most notably traumatic brain injury and various forms of stroke [2‐4]. New tools for the neuromonitoring of primarily cerebral function in acutely injured patients have transitioned from research to routine care, with continuous electroencephalography, intracranial pressure monitoring, and even brain tissue oxygen and cerebral microdialysis being utilized on a regular basis. Along with the development of new monitoring tools and treatment guidelines, there comes the question of the optimal organization of critical care services in order to best implement these new approaches. Put more bluntly: does patient care delivered in a specialized neurocritical care unit or system make a difference? …