TY - JOUR PY - 2018// TI - Six-year review of traumatic brain injury in a regional trauma unit: demographics, contributing factors and service provision in Ireland JO - Brain injury A1 - Owens, Patrick W. A1 - Lynch, Noel P. A1 - O'Leary, Donal P. A1 - Lowery, Aoife J. A1 - Kerin, Michael J. SP - 900 EP - 906 VL - 32 IS - 7 N2 - BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a significant burden of care for acute surgical services, particularly in the absence of on-site neurosurgical cover or sufficient post-acute rehabilitation facilities. We examine factors contributing to TBI, prolonged lengths of stay (LoS) and implications for hospital resources. Long-term outcomes are assessed.

METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted to a regional trauma unit with TBI from 2008 to 2013. Patients with LoS > 48 h were assessed. Demographic, clinical and longitudinal mortality data were collected using electronic clinical and radiological systems and chart review.

RESULTS: A total of 690 patients presented with TBI from 2008 to 2013; 213 patients with LoS > 48 h were assessed. One hundred and thirty (61%) were male. Mean age was 56 years (±SD 24). Mechanical fall was the most frequent injury mechanism (n = 120/213, 56%). Twenty-five per cent were associated with alcohol consumption; these were more likely to be male, involved in an Road Traffic Accident (RTA) or assault and necessitate transfer to a neurosurgical unit (p < 0.001, p = 0.029, p < 0.001, p = 0.05). A total of 112 patients(53%) had a prolonged LoS (>2 weeks). Mean LoS was 20 days (±SD 35), increasing to 39 days for patients requiring neurosurgical intervention. The 12-month all-cause mortality rate was 12%.

CONCLUSIONS: TBIs result in significant utilisation of acute inpatient bed days. Improved rehabilitation services and strategies to reduce acute hospital LoS are warranted.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0269-9052 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2018.1466366 ID - ref1 ER -