TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Brain injuries: health care capacity and policy in Georgia
JO  - Journal of injury and violence research
A1  - Burkadze, Eka
A1  - Chikhladze, Nino
A1  - Lobzhanidze, George
A1  - Chkhaberidze, Nino
A1  - Peek-Asa, Corinne L.
SP  - e1541
EP  - e1541
VL  - 13
IS  - 1
N2  - BACKGROUND: Over 90% of morbidity and mortality associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs in low- and middle-income countries. Lack of reliable, high-quality data regarding TBI prevention and care hinders the ability to reduce TBI burden. We sought to identify current TBI data collection practices and capacity in Georgia (country in the Caucasus region), focusing on pre-hospital, hospital, and rehabilitation treatment. <br><br>METHODS: The eight level I and two level II Trauma Hospitals in Georgia with the highest number of TBI admissions in 2017 were selected for study. A semi-structured survey about various aspects of TBI care was designed and semi-structured interviews of healthcare providers treating TBI patients (e.g. neurologists, neurosurgeons) were conducted based on this survey. <br><br>RESULTS: Pre-hospital triage protocols were not routinely used to match patient treatment needs with hospital capacity. All hospitals provided specialist care for TBI 24 hours/day. MRI was available at only three (30%) centers, and in-hospital rehabilitation units were available in only one (10%). No center used a defined protocol for treating TBI patients and no national protocol exists. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Even among the largest, most highly specialized hospitals in Georgia, TBI care varies in terms of diagnostic and treatment protocols. While TBI specialists are available, diagnostic equipment often is not. Gaps in pre-hospital coordination and access to rehabilitation services exist and provide areas of focus for future investment in reducing TBI burden.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2008-2053
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.5249/jivr.v13i1.1541
ID  - ref1
ER  -