Point of Care Testing in Emergency Departments After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Launched by CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST · Aug 12, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how quick blood tests done right in the emergency department (ED) could help doctors better manage people who come in with mild head injuries, often called concussions. Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is very common and usually happens when someone has a head bump but still seems mostly alert. Right now, doctors mainly use scans to check for serious problems, but many people with mild injuries still have lasting symptoms even if their scans look normal. This study wants to see if certain blood tests can give useful information quickly, helping doctors decide who needs extra care and who can safely go home.

Adults aged 18 and over who come to the ED within 24 hours after a mild head injury might be eligible to take part, especially if their initial assessment shows they have a mild brain injury (a Glasgow Coma Scale score above 12). Participants will have their care observed as part of the study to understand how these blood tests might fit into usual treatment. The goal is to improve care and outcomes by using these tests alongside current methods. People who cannot give consent, don’t speak English well enough to understand the study, or are prisoners are not eligible. This research is not recruiting yet but aims to help make emergency care for mild brain injuries safer and more effective in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patients (≥ 18 years of age)
• • Glasgow Coma Score \>12
• • Presentation within 24 hours of head injury
• • Meet criteria to be assessed using NICE NG232 clinical decision support tool (CDST).
• • Patients with a prior history of TBI may still be included.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participant without capacity and no available patient legal representative or professional consultee.
• • Participant with capacity unwilling to provide informed consent
• • Unable to adequately understand written and verbal English.
• • Prisoners currently in custody of HM Prison Service