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Rehospitalization in the First Year following Veteran and Service Member TBI: A VA TBI Model Systems Study
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2017 Jul/Aug
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Source: J Head Trauma Rehabil. 32(4):264-270.
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Details:
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Alternative Title:J Head Trauma Rehabil
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Personal Author:
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Description:Objective
Determine the incidence and causes of rehospitalization following Military or Veteran TBI.
Setting
VAVeterans Health Administration’sPolytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (VHA PRC).
Participants
Consecutive sample of VHA TBI Model System participants (N=401)
Design
Prospective observational cohort study.
Main Measures
Number and type of rehospitalizations in first year post-TBI.
Results
41% of 401 participants were rehospitalized. Rehospitalization status was associated with greater injury severity and receipt of TBI while active duty. Of those rehospitalized, 30% had 2 or more readmissions. Participants experiencing multiple rehospitalizations (2+) were more likely to have sustained their TBI during deployment compared to those with none or single rehospitalization. This group also sustained more severe injuries and spent more time in VA PRC inpatient rehabilitation. Common reasons for rehospitalization included inpatient rehabilitation (33%), unspecified (26%), orthopedic (10%), seizures (8%), infection (8%), psychiatric (7%).
Conclusion
This is the first study examining military and Veteran rehospitalization following TBI requiring inpatient rehabilitation at a VA PRC. Findings suggest frequent rehospitalization in the first year post-injury suggesting the need for preventative models of health maintenance following inpatient rehabilitation discharge. Greater surveillance of those with deployment-related TBI or active duty at time of injury and greater TBI severity may be warranted.
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Source:
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Pubmed ID:28195958
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC6087471
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Document Type:
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Funding:
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Volume:32
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Issue:4
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