Background: The quality of care after head injury is still very variable with a little coordination\n between different specialties. Acute care dominates, often with little regard to\n rehabilitation needs.
Objectives: To improve the outcomes of all head injury admissions to hospital, including mild and\n moderate, by creating a head injury team to supervise a rehabilitation clinical\n pathway.
Patients and Methods: A head injury team was established to manage the care of all non-neurosurgical\n admissions with head injury to a large teaching hospital. Apart from inpatient care, the\n team coordinates various services involved in the care of head injuries, arranged\n suitable follow-ups, supported relatives and trained healthcare staff on general wards\n in the treatment of head injured patients. Follow-up clinics at 6 weeks and 6 months\n were arranged.
Results: In the first three years, the team managed the care of 812 admissions. Mean age was\n 44.3 years (SD = 24.8) and mean length of hospital stay was 6.1 days (SD = 10.9). Of\n these individuals, 674 attended for 6 month follow-up with 52.2% having a good outcome\n on Extended Glasgow outcome score. Patients and their relatives' feedbacks were\n excellent with an average score of 4.7/5 on overall satisfaction rating. Following\n presentations at national meetings and elsewhere, other centers in the United Kingdom\n are now setting up similar pathways.
Conclusions: A dedicated clinical pathway and head injury team can improve the quality of care for\n all admissions with head injury and enhance the role for rehabilitation medicine input\n at an early stage
