Factors associated with discharge destination from acute care after moderate-to-severe traumatic injuries in Norway: a prospective population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that the trauma population has needs for rehabilitation services that are best provided in a continuous and coordinated way. The discharge destination after acute care is the second step to ensuring quality of care. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the factors associated with the discharge destination for the overall trauma population. This paper aims to identify sociodemographic, geographical, and injury-related factors associated with discharge destination following acute care at trauma centers for patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic injuries. METHODS: A multicenter, population-based, prospective study was conducted with patients of all ages with traumatic injury [New Injury Severity Score (NISS) > 9] admitted within 72 h after the injury to regional trauma centers in southeastern and northern Norway over a 1-year period (2020). RESULTS: In total, 601 patients were included; a majority (76%) sustained severe injuries, and 22% were discharged directly to specialized rehabilitation. Children were primarily discharged home, and most of the patients ≥ 65 years to their local hospital. Depending on the centrality of their residence [Norwegian Centrality Index (NCI) 1-6, where 1 is most central], we found that patients residing in NCI 3-4 and 5-6 areas sustained more severe injuries than patients residing in NCI 1-2 areas. An increase in the NISS, number of injuries, or a spinal injury with an Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ≥ 3 was associated with discharge to local hospitals and specialized rehabilitation than to home. Patients with an AIS ≥ 3 head injury (RRR 6.1, 95% Confidence interval 2.80-13.38) were significantly more likely to be discharged to specialized rehabilitation than patients with a less severe head injury. Age < 18 years was negatively associated with discharge to a local hospital, while NCI 3-4, preinjury comorbidity, and increased severity of injuries in the lower extremities were positively associated. CONCLUSIONS: Two-thirds of the patients sustained severe traumatic injury, and 22% were discharged directly to specialized rehabilitation. Age, centrality of the residence, preinjury comorbidity, injury severity, length of hospital stay, and the number and specific types of injuries were factors that had the greatest influence on discharge destination.

Predictors of Access to Rehabilitation in the Year Following Traumatic Brain Injury: A European Prospective and Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Although rehabilitation is beneficial for individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), a significant proportion of them do not receive adequate rehabilitation after acute care. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the goal of this prospective and multicenter study was to investigate predictors of access to rehabilitation in the year following injury in patients with TBI. METHODS: Data from a large European study (CENTER-TBI), including TBIs of all severities between December 2014 and December 2017 were used (N = 4498 patients). Participants were dichotomized into those who had and those who did not have access to rehabilitation in the year following TBI. Potential predictors included sociodemographic factors, psychoactive substance use, preinjury medical history, injury-related factors, and factors related to medical care, complications, and discharge. RESULTS: In the year following traumatic injury, 31.4% of patients received rehabilitation services. Access to rehabilitation was positively and significantly predicted by female sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50), increased number of years of education completed (OR = 1.05), living in Northern (OR = 1.62; reference: Western Europe) or Southern Europe (OR = 1.74), lower prehospital Glasgow Coma Scale score (OR = 1.03), higher Injury Severity Score (OR = 1.01), intracranial (OR = 1.33) and extracranial (OR = 1.99) surgery, and extracranial complication (OR = 1.75). On contrast, significant negative predictors were lack of preinjury employment (OR = 0.80), living in Central and Eastern Europe (OR = 0.42), and admission to hospital ward (OR = 0.47; reference: admission to intensive care unit) or direct discharge from emergency room (OR = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, there is an urgent need to implement national and international guidelines and strategies for access to rehabilitation after TBI.

Physical and mental health 10 years after multiple trauma: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: People who have sustained severe multiple injuries have reduced health and functioning years after the injury. For people who have sustained severe injuries, an optimal degree of predictability in future functioning and health-related quality of life is important. The main aim was to study the impacts of demographic- and injury-related factors as well as functioning at 1 year and 2 years after injury on physical and mental health 10 years after injury. METHODS: Fifty-eight participants completed a 10-year follow-up (55.2% of all included patients). Demographic and injury severity characteristics were collected, and assessments at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after injury were performed. Patient-reported outcome measures were the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the Brief Approach/Avoidance Coping Questionnaire, and the cognitive function scale (COG). The SF-36 Physical and Mental Component Summaries (PCS and MCS, respectively) were the main outcome variables. We performed hierarchical multiple regression analyses to assess functioning on the PCS and MCS. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age at injury was 37.8 (14.7) years, 74% were male. Mean (SD) New Injury Severity Score (NISS) was 33.7 (13.0). Mean (SD) PCS score was 41.8 (11.7). Mean (SD) MCS was 48.8 (10.7). Predictors of the PCS were change in coping from 2 years to 10 years (p = 0.032), physical functioning (p < 0.001) and cognitive functioning at 1 year (p = 0.011), as well as bodily pain at 2 years (p = 0.005). Adjusted R was 0.57. Predictors of the MCS were change in coping (p = 0.031), vitality (p = 0.008) at 1 year, as well as social functioning (p = 0.034) and mental health (p = 0.043) at 2 years. Adjusted R was 0.64. CONCLUSION: Physical health was reduced compared with the adjusted general population at 10 years after injury. The mental health did not differ from that of the general population. In addition to physical functioning, coping strategies, vitality, social functioning, and mental health should be considered in the long-term rehabilitation perspective. A more comprehensive approach should be used for rehabilitation after multiple injuries.