The purpose fo the study was to investigate and describe the documented
management of head injured patients during the first 24 hours as implemented at the
Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone (Botswana). Particular attention was paid to the
documented interventions carried out by nurses and medical doctors during the first
24 hours. A survey research design using a chekclist to obtain data was utilized.
The method of data collection was by record review. The population for this
research comprised all head injured patients admitted to the Princess Marina
Hospital over a one year period from 1.1.1997 to 31.12.1997. A preliminary record
review indicated that a total of 240 patients have been treated from January 1997 to
December 1991 The sample (n = 126) consisted of one hundred and twenty-six
records of head injured patients, who were received in the accident and emergency
unit and admitted in different wards for management during the first 24 hours. The
setting of this research was the Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. A
pilot study was undertaken at the sam e hospital. Data was analysed by use of a
computer. Descriptive statistics were used. The study revealed that documentation
of time of injury, arrival time and time of transfer to the wards was inadequate.
Motor vehicle accidents are the commonest causes of injury and assault is the
second commonest. Though poor documentation is noted at some stages, adequate
care appears to have been given to patients in the opinion of the researcher. The
prescription and interventions for head injured patients were found to be appropriate.
There was poor documentation on cervical spine c o n tro l. Blood gases were not
assessed in 98% of patients.