Characteristics and Outcomes of Persons with Severe Firearm Related Brain Injuries
Categories: Firearm Related Brain Injury
What are the demographics and functional outcomes of persons who require inpatient rehabilitation for severe firearm-related brain injury?
Past Studies
Past Studies have focused on death rates and not on outcomes of survivors. Previous studies have indicated that firearms are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury-related deaths in the USA. Death rates for civilian penetrating brain injuries have been high, exceeding 90 percent. Persons at high risk for violent brain injury have been described as men, young adults, unmarried, of a minority race, unemployed, and who had no more than a high school education at the time of injury. Past studies have concluded that socioeconomic factors play a large role in the
This Study
This Study examined 27 persons with severe firearm related brain injuries. They were tracked from hospital admission through discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Outcome data were collected on the length of stay, Functional Independent Measures scores, and the Disability Rating Scale scores. All participants improved and were discharged to private residential settings. Although some participants required assistance with activities of daily living, all avoided institutional placement.
Who May Be Affected By These Finding
Persons with penetrating brain injuries, service providers, service funders, and advocates.
Caveats
Since most persons with severe penetrating brain injury die within the first 48 hours, initial extended resource use concerns may not be the big issue. This study demonstrated that residential discharge is probable with inpatient rehabilitation. Residential discharge often represents lower future costs and a reduced total burden of care.
Bottom Line
Functional improvement is
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Find This Study
Zafonte, R. D.; Wood, D. L.; Harrison-Felix, C. L.; Millis, S. R.; & Valena, N. V. (2001). Severe penetrating head injury: A study of outcomes. Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, (82), 306-310.