SERIOUS TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY - AN EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL OUTCOMES

Objectives: Evaluate independent living, productivity, and social outc omes of patients with serious traumatic brain injury (TBI) after inpat ient rehabilitation, Methods: Fifty-five adults with serious TBI (Abbr eviated Injury Scale score greater than or equal to 3) were admitted t o a Level I trauma center and subsequently transferred to a comprehens ive inpatient rehabilitation hospital (Walton Rehabilitation Hospital) , Functional Independence Measures were obtained at admission (Adm), d ischarge (D/C), and at 3- (n = 52) and 1-year (n = 51) follow-up, Resu lts: At 1 year, 90% of the patients were living at home. Eight (16%) r equired full-time supervision, while 41 (82%) were independent of supe rvision throughout most of the day, Thirteen (25%) patients had return ed to work, eight full time and five with reduced responsibility and f ewer hours than before injury, Nineteen shared household duties, while eight (16%) had primary responsibility. Fourteen (27%) patients demon strated socially inappropriate or disruptive behavior at least weekly. [GRAPHICS] Conclusion: Although cognitive skills were diminished for the majority of patients, many achieved a substantial reduction in dis ability within 18 months after TBI.