The intensive care unit experience: Psychological impact on family members of patients with and without traumatic brain injury.

Purpose/objective: The intensive care unit (ICU) has been identified as a possible contributor to emotional distress. This study seeks to identify whether families of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in the ICU experience psychological differences as compared with non-TBI patients' family members.

Method: Eighty-two family members in a trauma/critical care ICU were assessed at baseline and again at 3 months.

Trauma patient readmissions: Why do they come back for more?

Background: Hospital readmissions are a frequent challenge. Speculation exists that rates of readmission following traumatic injury will be publicly disclosed. The primary aim of this study was to characterize and model 1-year readmission patterns to multiple institutions among patients originally admitted to a single, urban Level I trauma center.

Validation of a brief, two-question depression screen in trauma patients.

Background: Increasingly, depression following traumatic injury is recognized as a complication of injury. Unlike mandated screening for risky alcohol use in trauma centers, screening for psychological risks is not required by the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma. Limited resources and time constraints are commonly given reasons against routine screening.