TRENDS IN INCIDENCE OF HOSPITALIZATION FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY IN WISCONSIN FROM 1989 THROUGH 1992

To aid in determining health care service needs, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) data on Wisconsin hospital discha rges for traumatic brain injury (TBI), using ICD-9-CM codes for intrac ranial injury with and without skull fracture, and Wisconsin Departmen t of Transportation data on incapacitating non-fatal head injuries (IN HI) from traffic accidents from 1989 through 1992 were reviewed. Yearl y TBI hospital discharges in Wisconsin declined 15.0%, and by 23.9% fo r Milwaukee County residents, over 1989 through 1992, correlating clos ely with changes in yearly INHI in Wisconsin (r = 0.999; p < 0.01) and in Milwaukee County (r = 0.989; p < 0.05). Using 1990 census data the yearly TBI risk ratio for Milwaukee County residents compared to the rest of Wisconsin increased from 1989 (1.76) to 1990 (1.92) and then d ecreased in 1991 (1.83) and 1992 (1.51). The results of this pilot stu dy suggest there was a decrease in the incidence of hospitalization of patients with TBI in Wisconsin from 1989 through 1992, paralleling a decline in INHI from motor vehicle accidents. There appeared to be a r elatively seater decline in these patients in Milwaukee County from 19 91 to 1999 as compared to the rest of the state. The techniques employ ed in this study may be used to help assess rehabilitation service nee ds in other areas.