Population-based study of the risk of in-hospital death after traumatic brain injury: the role of sepsis.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for the largest proportion of injury-related deaths and disability in the United States. The proportion of TBI-related deaths that occur after admission in a hospital remains high despite improvement in medical technology. We provide findings on the risk factors of in-hospital death and demonstrate the risk associated with sepsis occurring in the hospital environment.

Risk of posthospitalization mortality among persons with traumatic brain injury, South Carolina 1999-2001.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) negatively impacts long-term survival. However, little is known about the likelihood of death within the first year following hospital discharge. This study examined mortality among a representative sample of 3679 persons within 1 year of being discharged from any of 62 acute care hospitals in South Carolina following TBI and identified the factors associated with early death using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.

The effect of insurance status, race, and gender on ED disposition of persons with traumatic brain injury.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of insurance status and demographic characteristics on ED disposition among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Statewide hospital discharge and ED datasets in South Carolina, 1996-2001, were analyzed by primary or secondary diagnosis of TBI in a multivariable logistic regression model. Of 70,671 unduplicated patients with TBI evaluated in the ED, 76% were treated and released; 26% had no insurance.

Acute traumatic spinal cord injury, 1993-2000A population-based assessment of methylprednisolone administration and hospitalization.

Background: Administration of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) after acute traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) is controversial. This study compared differences in acute care charge, hospital stay, and related variables as a function of MPSS receipt.

Methods: Determinants of MPSS administration were examined after acute TSCI for South Carolina patients during the period 1993 to 2000 in a multivariate logistic regression model.

The influence of insurance, race, and gender on emergency department disposition.

Objectives: To examine the influence of insurance, race, and gender on the likelihood of hospitalization among trauma patients.

Methods: Statewide hospital discharge and emergency department (ED) visit data collected between 1996 and 2000 were merged to examine factors that influence hospitalization among patients who sustained an injury. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the likelihood of hospitalization as a function of patient, injury, and hospital characteristics.