Stimulation of Critically Ill Patients: Relationship to Sedation.

Objectives: To describe the number and type of stimulation events and the relationship of stimulation to sedation level in patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Methods: A 4-hour direct observation was conducted in 103 patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Stimulation events and sedation level before and after the stimulation were documented.

Global Outcome and Late Seizures After Penetrating Versus Closed Traumatic Brain Injury: A NIDRR TBI Model Systems Study.

Background: If and how much dural penetration influences long-term outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is understudied, especially within the civilian population.

Objectives: Using the large TBI Model Systems cohort, this study assessed and compared penetrating TBI (PTBI) and closed TBI with respect to global outcome and late seizures 2 years after injury.

Methods: After performing unadjusted PTBI versus closed TBI comparisons, multivariate regression models were built and analyzed for both outcomes by including the following additional predictors: length of unconsciousness, posttraumatic amnesia duration, hospital length of stay, age, gender, race, marital status, education level, problem substance abuse, and preinjury employment status.