Emergency department visits associated with traumatic brain injury: UnitedStates, 1995-1996

The purposes of this study were to provide a national estimate of the incid ence of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) seen in emergency departments (EDs) , but not requiring hospitalization and to determine the causes of these in juries. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case definitio n of TBI, ED data was analysed from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medica l Care Survey (1995-1996). The average overall incidence rate of TBI-relate d ED visits for persons who were not hospitalized was 392/100 000 populatio n per year, or 1 027 000 visits to hospital EDs in the US each year. This e stimate is nearly twice (392 vs. 216) the previously estimated incidence ra te, which was based on data from the 1991 National Health Interview Survey Injury Supplement. It was found that the highest incidence rate occurred am ong children aged 0-14 years, the rate for males was higher than for female s, and the primary reported causes of these injuries were 'falls', motor ve hicle-related causes, and 'struck by an object'. Although often considered 'mild' TBIs, these injuries can lead to significant cognitive and emotional impairment. Thus, continued surveillance of TBI-related ED visits is an im portant part of a comprehensive TBI prevention strategy.