Citation

Rutland-Brown W, Langlois Orman JA, Bazarian JJ, Warden D. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2008; 23(2): 84-91.

Affiliation

Division of Injury Response, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.HTR.0000314527.78134.70

PMID

18362762

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To improve identification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in survivors of nonmilitary bomb blasts during the acute care phase. METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a meeting of experts in TBI, emergency medicine, and disaster response to review the recent literature and make recommendations. RESULTS: Seven key recommendations were proposed: (1) increase TBI awareness among medical professionals; (2) encourage use of standard definitions and consistent terminology; (3) improve screening methods for TBI in the acute care setting; (4) clarify the distinction between TBI and acute stress disorder; (5) encourage routine screening of hospitalized trauma patients for TBI; (6) improve identification of nonhospitalized TBI patients; and (7) integrate the appropriate level of TBI identification into all-hazards mass casualty preparedness. CONCLUSIONS: By adopting these recommendations, the United States could be better prepared to identify and respond to TBI following future bombing events.

Language: en