Navigating the Neuro Chart Review Part 2: Monitoring and Procedures

Presented by Kristen Keech and Jessica Asiello

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Patients with acute brain injury often require complex monitoring, medical procedures, and invasive supports that directly impact rehabilitation planning and safety. This course provides with the knowledge to interpret neuromonitoring data, identify the purpose and precautions of common lines, drains, and airways, and recognize the functional implications of neurosurgical procedures. Participants will learn how to safely engage patients with devices such as external ventricular drains (EVDs), arterial lines, tracheostomies, and intracranial pressure monitors, and how to spot early signs of neurologic decline that require care escalation. Emphasizing a structured chart review process, interdisciplinary communication, and vigilant clinical reasoning, this course prepares clinicians to deliver safe, timely, and responsive therapy to individuals with traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other neurologic conditions in critical care and step-down settings.

Learning Objectives

Interpret intracranial monitoring data to determine appropriate timing and precautions for initiating therapy
Identify the clinical implications of common lines, drains, and tubes (including EVDs, arterial lines, tracheostomies, and feeding tubes) when planning therapy sessions
State the relevance of common neurosurgical procedures (e.g., craniotomy, VP shunt, thrombectomy) and determine related therapy precautions and collaboration strategies
Identify functional red flags (e.g., acute neurological changes, mobility decline) that require holding therapy or escalating care, using structured clinical decision tools
Select interdisciplinary communication strategies to ensure safe and effective rehabilitation in medically complex neurologic patients

Meet your instructors

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Kristen Keech

Dr. Kristen Keech is an occupational therapist passionate about advancing care and advocating for survivors of brain injury. She holds a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire and a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is recognized as a…

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Jessica Asiello

Jessica Asiello is an assistant professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the MGH Institute for Health Professions in Boston, Massachusetts. She primarily teaches in the online postprofessional OTD program. Her clinical practice is in acute care at…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Lines & Tubes

This chapter introduces the function, placement, and therapy considerations of common lines and tubes used in acute neuro care, including central lines, arterial lines, feeding tubes, urinary catheters, and tracheostomies. Clinicians will learn how these devices impact positioning, activity tolerance, and mobility planning, as well as how to coordinate care with nursing to prevent complications and ensure safety during therapy.

2. Monitoring Devices

Focusing on intracranial monitoring tools such as external ventricular drains (EVDs), intracranial pressure (ICP) bolts, and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) measures, this chapter teaches clinicians how to interpret key values and determine safe timing for activity. Emerging non-invasive tools like EEG and pupillometry are also discussed. Learners will understand how these monitoring devices inform care decisions and what precautions must be taken during therapy.

3. Neurosurgical and Noninvasive Procedures: Precautions

This chapter reviews common neurosurgical and neurointerventional procedures, including craniotomies, craniectomies, thrombectomies, shunt placements, and lumbar drains. Clinicians will learn related precautions, helmet protocols, and functional implications to guide clinical decisions and ensure safe mobilization during the post-operative period.

4. Prevention, Recognition, and Management of Neurologic Decline

The final chapter provides tools to recognize early signs of neurologic deterioration—such as changes in consciousness, new deficits, or elevated ICP—and outlines how to respond using structured escalation protocols. Clinicians will learn to distinguish emergent versus non-emergent changes, communicate clearly with the care team, and document critical observations to ensure timely intervention and protect patient safety.