TBI Prognosis is an app that calculates the estimated mortality at 14 days and 6 months after a patient experiences traumatic brain injury (TBI).
The calculator uses mathematical models and data from numerous published articles, such as the CRASH study, that are cited within the app.
The app was developed for medical professionals taking care of these patients and to help support their clinical judgment.
User Interface
The TBI Prognosis app is a very simple calculator app to use.
The app starts up with the calculator ready to use. The user can click on the several input sections and add the information needed.
The app also includes question marks next to each input value to give the user more information. For example, for the input asking the user to enter if the patient is of a high income country, clicking the question mark leads to a list with all the countries that qualify.
The question mark for the input for Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) leads to an in app GCS calculator. This feature makes the app very easy to use and reduces time needed to make these simple calculations. The app also displays what clinical feature each value corresponds to such as a value of 4 means the patient has a spontaneous eye response.
Once all of the data is entered, the app produces a mortality probability at 14 days post TBI and the probability of a Glasgow Outcome Scale < 4 at 6 months. All the calculations are made using previously published mathematical models and data.
The app also has a documentation section that briefly describes how the results are calculated. This section also includes links to the studies used in the references section.
Evidence to support the app
- Roberts I, Yates D, Sandercock P, et al. Effect of intravenous corticosteroids on death within 14 days in 10008 adults with clinically significant head injury (MRC CRASH trial): randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2004;364(9442):1321-8.
- Perel P, Arango M, Clayton T, et al. Predicting outcome after traumatic brain injury: practical prognostic models based on large cohort of international patients. BMJ. 2008;336(7641):425-9.
Price
- Free
Likes
- Very simple to use and navigate
- Clicking the question marks give useful additional information
- References are hyperlinked and included in the documentation section
Dislikes
- The app could be more visually appealing
Healthcare workers that would benefit from the app:
- Healthcare workers that are involved in the care of patients with TBI could find this app useful.
Conclusion
- This app brings information from published research to the hands of medical providers. It is a great tool to allow healthcare workers to incorporate evidence based medicine into their clinical work. As of publish, no Android version is available.
Type of Device used to review app–iPhone 5
Version of App–1.0
Rating: (1 to 5 stars): 4.3/5
- User Interface: 4 – Very easy to use and navigate with helpful features.
- Multimedia usage – N/A
- Price: 5 – Free
- Real world applicability 4 – This app could potentially be useful to support the clinical decisions made when treating patients with TBI
Disclaimer
This post does not establish, nor is it intended to establish, a patient physician relationship with anyone. It does not substitute for professional advice, and does not substitute for an in-person evaluation with your health care provider. It does not provide the definitive statement on the subject addressed. Before using these apps please consult with your own physician or health care provider as to the apps validity and accuracy as this post is not intended to affirm the validity or accuracy of the apps in question. The app(s) mentioned in this post should not be used without discussing the app first with your health care provider.
