In any patient with a head injury, ask early about anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin, clopidogrel and direct oral anticoagulants. Intracranial bleeding can be delayed or occur with minor trauma in these patients, so they usually need imaging and a longer observation plan than other mild injuries, in line with local protocol.
Record the drug, the dose and the time of the last dose, because these decide whether a reversal agent is needed.
- Ask about anticoagulants and antiplatelets in every head injury
- Record the drug, dose and time of the last dose
- Follow local protocol for imaging and observation in anticoagulated patients
- Know where reversal agents are kept
Why it matters
A decision to discharge depends on knowing what the patient takes.
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