gms | German Medical Science

Background: Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit of NIMR has multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team, headed by UEMS PRM (Union of European Medical Specialists) Board-certified physician. They have a postacute rehabilitation program with accreditation by UEMS PRM Board, and they are specialized for rehabilitation of patient with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The number of beds in the unit is 40, and the number of team members is also around 40.

Aim: Introduction of the rehabilitation results of patients with TBI at the time of discharged, after the first inpatient rehabilitation program.

Method: retrospective, cohort study

Results/findings: During the year 2013, 66 patients with severe TBI were treated at the Unit. Mean age: 36 (17–72) years, leading cause of TBI: 47 traffic-related incidents, main symptoms at the time of admission: hemiparesis 34, tetraparesis: 12, PTA: 20, aphasia: 8, average length of stay at unit: 82 (7–240) days, patients admitted in vegetative state: 3, minimal responsive state: 10, unplanned transmission: 20. At the time of admission and discharged Functional Independence Measure scale (FIM) was used for assessment of patient function. At the time of discharge 50 patients were independent in activities of daily living, 50 could walk and 52 were continence, 49 patients were independent in communication and 36 in social cognition. Most of the patients (58) were discharged to their home, 3 patients were transmitted to acute care with severe complication, only 4 patients had to be sent to long term care unit, and one to spinal cord rehabilitation unit.

Discussion and conclusions: Rehabilitation treatment of patients with severe TBI is suggested in specialized units, where special multidisciplinary team is available for the patients with multifunctional problems.