Brain injury rehabilitation; the continuum of care

The continuum of care for individuals with traumatic brain injury has become quite complex. Medical technology has increased survival rates leaving many individuals with severe deficits. Quality treatment programs have been developed that are proving cost effective with good outcomes for many. To insure maximal recovery from traumatic brain injury, the patient should be provided the opportunity for treatment in the setting which is most conducive to maximal recovery. The acute hospital, the subacute program, the postacute program, the home program and the others should all be considered as part of the continuum of care for the brain injured individual. Timely movement to the appropriate setting will facilitate maximum recovery of a traumatic brain injured individual. Many patients have the potential to improve with quality treatment, appropriate setting and sufficient time to be treated. The article describes the levels of care that are available, with the goals and objectives of each level. It describes the patient that would best fit into each level. It further identifies assessment tools that are useful in measuring progress and outcomes.