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Overview
While there exists a legal provision for brain death, or death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), institutional protocols for diagnosis are not universal and are often absent; no specific criteria for diagnosis is mandated. Even among institutions with an organized diagnostic protocol, there is substantial variation both in the criteria used and who may perform the determination. Please refer to your hospital’s (and state’s) policies and protocols when performing a BD/DNC determination at your hospital.
The Brain Death Determination course, presented by the Neurocritical Care Society, aims to standardize the process of brain death diagnosis. This credentialing tool will help those clinicians who are allowed by their local laws to perform brain death determination to learn and demonstrate their level of understanding and expertise by:
- Highlighting the necessary steps that must be taken to determine brain death
- Reviewing meticulous examination methods, including apnea testing, understanding the role of ancillary testing, and discussing proper documentation
- Understanding the updated guidance from the 2023 AAN/AAP/SCCM/CNS guidelines, including special circumstances such as ECMO, pregnancy, primary posterior fossa injury and others
- Outlining helpful communication approaches with fellow providers and families
- Describing common pitfalls and barriers that may arise during the determination process
This course is accredited for 2 hours of continuing education. It includes a video 1 hour in length, and a 25-question exam at the completion of the video. Once the video has been watched and the exam passed with a score of 100% (unlimited retakes allowed), participants will be granted a certificate of completion.
The American Academy of Neurology has endorsed this education course.
This course was created and presented by:
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The American Academy of Neurology has endorsed this education course.
This course was created and presented by:
- David M. Greer, MD
- Matthew Kirschen, MD, PhD
- Ariane K. Lewis, MD
- Michael Rubin, MD
- Panayiotis Varelas, MD
Claiming CE Credit Requirements (click to view)
Hardware / Software Requirements (click to view)
CME INFORMATION (click to view)Target Audience (click to view)
Objectives (click to view)
Activity Goal (click to view)
Disclosures (click to view)
Disclosed Relationships (click to view)
Non-Endorsement Statement (click to view)
Accreditation (click to view)
Physicians (click to view)
Commercial Support (click to view)
*Access to this course is valid for 2 years from the date of purchase.**Note: This course is best viewed in Google Chrome.
Click here to view the NCS Brain Death Toolkit, an excellent companion to this course. Included in the free toolkit are sample check lists, FAQs for providers, FAQs for families, and more.
Please click here to view the NCS Legal Disclaimer for the Brain Death Determination Course.