Abstract:
Rehabilitation services after pediatric trauma helps reduce morbidity. However, a better understanding of how these services are utilized is needed. Studies of acute care disposition have suggested that, after controlling for injury and impairment severity, there is a correlation between receipt of inpatient rehabilitation and the availability of rehabilitation resources. This prospective study of 2,319 trauma patients under 16 years of age consecutively admitted to a Level I Trauma Center examined rehabilitation service receipt during and after discharge where availability of rehabilitation services remained constant. The sample included 67.4% with minor injuries and 21.7% with major trauma as defined by the Injury Severity Score. Of those surviving patients considered to have significant head injuries [Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) = 13-15 AISHN > 3 or GCS < 13 and AISHN < 2], 41.6% were discharged to home and 33% to inpatient rehabilitation. Of those surviving patients without significant head injuries, 91.3% were discharged home and 3.1% to inpatient rehabilitation. The relationship among the receipt of rehabilitation services and demographic, premorbid medical and psychosocial, injury type, and severity and impairment factors are also presented.