Citation

Fakhry SM, Ferguson PL, Johnson EE, Wilson DA. Brain Inj. 2017; 31(11): 1486-1493.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health Sciences , Medical University of South Carolina , Charleston , SC , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02699052.2017.1376762

PMID

28980837

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To achieve the best possible recovery, individuals with severe TBI should be treated at Level I/II trauma centres (I/II TC). Increased morbidity and mortality can result when injured patients are admitted to facilities that may not have the appropriate resources or expertise to treat the injury. The purpose of this study was to estimate the proportion of severe TBI visits resulting in hospitalization in lower-level trauma centres (OTH) and evaluate the characteristics associated with such hospitalizations.

METHODS: The 2012 National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data set was analysed. Weighted descriptive analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to describe the association of hospitalization in OTH with demographic, clinical and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS: Of visits for severe TBI, 112 208 were admitted to I/II TC and 43 294 admitted to OTH. The adjusted odds of hospitalization in OTH were higher for isolated TBI, falls, women, in those with ≥3 chronic conditions and increasing age.

CONCLUSIONS: An estimated 19.5% of visits for severe TBI resulted in hospitalization in OTH. These findings show the need to further evaluate the relationship between sex, age and mechanism of injury to inform efforts to appropriately triage individuals with TBI to ensure the best possible recovery.

Language: en

Keywords

TBI; United States; brain injuries; trauma centres