Needs of Family Members of Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Evidence-Based Practice

Traumatic brain injury occurs in 500000 persons each year in the United States; approximately 50000 of these die before they reach a hospital. Of those who do reach a hospital, approximately 80% have mild traumatic injuries (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score 14–15) and require little, if any, care in an intensive care unit (ICU). About 10% have moderate traumatic brain injuries (GCS score 9–13) and may be admitted to an ICU simply for observation. For the remaining 10% (approximately 45000 patients), who have severe traumatic brain injury (GCS score 3–8), rapid intervention and stabilization in an ICU can improve morbidity and mortality.¹ 

Initially, patients with severe traumatic brain injury are in an extremely unstable condition and may require surgery for removal of epidural and/or subdural hematomas and repeated computed tomography scans. They may need intracranial pressure monitoring, hyperosmolar agents to control increasing pressures, and ventilator support.^1,2 Although...