Improving identification of traumatic brain injury after nonmilitary bomb blasts.
OBJECTIVE
To improve identification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in survivors of nonmilitary bomb blasts during the acute care phase.


METHODS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a meeting of experts in TBI, emergency medicine, and disaster response to review the recent literature and make recommendations.


RESULTS
Seven key recommendations were proposed: (1) increase TBI awareness among medical professionals; (2) encourage use of standard definitions and consistent terminology; (3) improve screening methods for TBI in the acute care setting; (4) clarify the distinction between TBI and acute stress disorder; (5) encourage routine screening of hospitalized trauma patients for TBI; (6) improve identification of nonhospitalized TBI patients; and (7) integrate the appropriate level of TBI identification into all-hazards mass casualty preparedness.


CONCLUSIONS
By adopting these recommendations, the United States could be better prepared to identify and respond to TBI following future bombing events.
Rutland-Brown
Wesley
W
Division of Injury Response, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
Langlois
Jean A
JA
Bazarian
Jeffrey J
JJ
Warden
Deborah
D
D054042:Bombs; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D004189:Disaster Planning; D005107:Explosions; D006801:Humans; D054527:Mass Casualty Incidents; D014481:United States