Patients who are brain injured may have undergone Brain Stem Death (BSD). It is important to be able to diagnose BSD and confirm death. This is to avoid further distress to families by giving false expectation of survival and to avoid inappropriate medical transfer of the deceased.
The number of patients who may satisfy the pre-conditions for Brain Stem Testing on operations has historically been small and is expected to remain so. Where preconditions are not met and if any doubt exists, testing should not be carried out. If BST is not undertaken, alternative treatment pathways are to be considered by the clinical team. This may include rearward evacuation where indicated.
This leaflet provides guidance specifically for UK Medical Personnel on deployed operations working in UK Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or UK-led MTFs. In other circumstances such as whenre UK is not the medical lead or where other nations's personnel are being treated by UK Medical Personnel, guidance will need to be sought from the relevant medical commanders, PJHQ and other SMEs on a case by case basis.
JSP 950 Part 1 Lft 2-5-2 (v1.0) May 12 - BRAIN STEM DEATH AND BRAIN STEM TESTING