Patient navigation for traumatic brain injury promotes community re-integration and reduces re-hospitalizations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a Navigation programme for patients with traumatic brain injury.

DESIGN

Prospective programme evaluation.

SETTING

Inpatient rehabilitation facility and community settings.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighteen individuals who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), were between the ages of 16-70 years, and had a Rancho Score greater than IV.

INTERVENTION

Patient navigation programme focused on identifying and addressing barriers to positive outcomes, including coordination of care and facilitating communication among the family and healthcare providers, psychosocial support, caregiver support, adherence to treatment, education, community resources and financial issues.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Functional status, re-hospitalizations, falls, neurobehavioral symptom inventory, neuroendocrine status, activities of daily living, community integration and caregiver burden.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in re-hospitalization and fall rate when comparing individuals who received navigation services and those who did not. We also observed improved adherence treatment plans and a significant increase in community integration, independence level and functional abilities.

CONCLUSIONS

This study begins to highlight the effectiveness of a patient navigation programme for individuals with TBI. Future research with a larger sample will continue to help us refine patient navigation for chronic disabling conditions and determine its sustainability.