Criteria for admission after recent head injury

1. Confusion or any other depressed level of consciousness at time of examination

2. Skull fracture

3. Neurological signs, persisting vomiting or severe headache

4. Difficulty in assessing the patient

5. Co-existing medical problems e.g. haemophilia or stroke

6. Unfavourable social conditions, no escort

 

Criteria for skull X-ray after head injury:

1. Loss of consciousness or amnesia at any time

2. Neurological, symptoms or signs

3. CSF from nose or ear

4. Suspected penetrating injury

5. Alcohol intoxication

6. Difficulty in assessing the patient e.g. infant, epilepsy, stroke

 

Criteria for informing the neurosurgeons:

1. Fracture of the skull associated with:

¨ Confusion or depression in conscious level

¨ Focal neurological signs

¨ Epileptic fits

2. Confusion or other neurological disturbance persisting for longer than 12 hours, even in absence of skull fracture

3. Coma continuing after resuscitation

4. Depressed skull fracture

5. Fracture of skull base

6. Deterioration in clinical condition