title: Level of care options for the low-functioning brain injury survivor.
abstract: During the early stages of recovery from severe brain injury many patients are comatose or minimally responsive. Rehabilitation for these low-functioning survivors traditionally includes acute medical care and transfer to a skilled nursing facility or acute rehabilitation. Concerns have been expressed that customary treatment options are ineffective, costly, or both. In response, 'intermediate'-level programmes designed to provide effective, cost-efficient rehabilitation have emerged. The purpose of this paper is to provide information regarding outcome of severe brain injury and the early rehabilitation needs of survivors. Common characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of various intermediate programmes, including 'subacute' and 'transitional' rehabilitation, are discussed and contrasted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kreutzer
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Witol
mesh_terms: D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003128:Coma / Q000191:economics / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007380:Intermediate Care Facilities / Q000191:economics*; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000191:economics; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States