title: Ambulatory care for traumatic brain injuries in the US, 1995-1997.
abstract: The burden of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not well understood at the national level, but hospitalization rates show a decline over time. This paper describes ambulatory care for TBI patients at physician offices, hospital outpatient departments, and emergency departments (EDs) in comparison with non-TBI visits for the US during 1995-1997. An estimated 1.4 million visits for TBI were made each year for an average annual rate of 5.4/1,000 population. A decline in annual visit rate was noted during 1995-1997. Visit rates were higher for those aged 0 -14 and 75 and older. Falls (44%) and motor vehicles (28%) were the primary injury causes. Rural-urban differences were found, also in comparison with non-TBI. In 23% of visits to EDs, a CT scan was ordered or performed and in 33%, a mental status exam was conducted. Further investigations are warranted to describe ambulatory care for TBI in more detail, particularly in light of a decline in hospitalization rates.
authors.affiliation: Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, USA. mschootm@im.wustl.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schootman
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Fuortes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014600:Utilization Review