Emergency and Hospital Care for Brain Injury

Emergency care is often the first step after a brain injury

For many people, their brain injury journey will begin in an emergency department. This is especially true if your loved one arrives in an ambulance, is unconscious or unable to stay awake, or is experiencing severe symptoms like increasing confusion, repeated vomiting, seizures, or difficulty standing. The experience in the emergency department can feel stressful. Medical professionals may ask you to make quick decisions or respond to a lot of questions about your loved one. The role of medical professionals in the emergency department is to determine who is at risk for life-threatening injuries, who should be admitted to the hospital, and who can go home. They will also take steps to diagnose, treat, and prevent a medical condition from getting worse.

Learn more about:

• Possible effects of a brain injury, including secondary injuries
• Common medical tests
• Medications that may be used

Some people with a brain injury will need care in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

After emergency medical treatment, the medical team will decide whether your loved one can safely recover at home or whether they need to stay in the hospital for specialized care. In some cases, this includes admission to the ICU for close monitoring and treatment. In the ICU, medical teams are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If your loved one is admitted to the ICU, you will usually be able to visit once the medical team determines it is ok to do so. The care team may also limit the number of visitors to help support rest and recovery. The ICU environment can feel overwhelming at first. You may see tubes and lines connected to your loved one, or hear alarms and alerts from machines that are monitoring vital signs. These tools are used to help the medical team closely track your loved one’s condition, even though they may look and sound unfamiliar.

Download the document below to see an overview of the medical equipment you may see in the hospital.

It is important to take care of yourself while your loved one is in the hospital

While your focus will be on your loved one as they recover, it is also important that you take care of yourself. This includes getting enough sleep, eating well, staying hydrated, and exercising, even if that means taking short walks outside the hospital. Asking for and accepting help from others can make a real difference. Most people mean it when they say, “Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” They just may not know what you need. You may find it helpful to make a list of things that people can help with and to identify someone who can help you assign tasks to friends and family.

You may want to ask someone you trust to serve as a main contact person to help share updates with family and friends. In addition, reaching out for help with everyday tasks, such as preparing meals, caring for children or pets, doing laundry, grocery shopping, or keeping up with household chores, can ease your load. Emotional support matters as well. Talking with others about your feelings can help. Many hospitals have chaplains and social workers who are available to listen and provide support.

Get involved with treatment and discharge planning to make sure your family’s and loved one’s needs are met

Your loved one’s medical team will work together to create a treatment plan that is based on their abilities and medical needs. Be sure to attend treatment planning meetings. Treatment planning meetings are your opportunity to get reports and updates about how your loved one is progressing. During these meetings be sure to:

• Ask questions and request explanations for things that are unclear
• Get involved in goal setting for your loved one’s treatment
• Ask about programs to support families and caregivers, including counseling and mental health services
• Learn about rehabilitation, community- and home-based services for your loved one

Your loved one’s treatment plan should include:

• Overall treatment goals
• Recommended therapies
• How often they receive therapies
• List of any medications (if needed)
• Expected length of stay
• Support and resources for caregivers

Discharge planning is the process that medical staff use to prepare for a person’s move from the hospital to home, a rehabilitation center, or a nursing facility. You should get involved in discharge planning. Social workers and/or case managers will help you and your loved one’s medical team identify options and determine your loved one’s next step in treatment and care. Health insurance and the ability to cover the costs of care outside the hospital can play a large role in discharge planning.

Learn more about:

• Discharge planning
• Pushing back against unsafe discharges
• Getting help paying for care

You can also download this checklist from the Understanding the Brain Injury Journey: A Practical Guide for Families.

If you believe that your loved one is not ready for discharge and should stay in the hospital, speak with your insurance provider or other coverage provider, as well as the social worker or case manager. In some situations, insurance companies will approve extended lengths of stay in a hospital if a person continues to make improvements. You may need to involve a lawyer to help advocate for your loved one.

Compassionate answers. Real support. Every step of the way.

Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 to speak to a specialist about:

• Help with care needs
• Legal and financial resources
• Services in your community