Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe the occurrence of sentinel events and their influence on
community integration of women with traumatic brain injury (TBI) transitioning
from hospital to home. DESIGN: A longitudinal study was completed with data
collected before and at 1, 3,
and 6 months after hospital discharge. SETTING:
Brain injury rehabilitation unit and acute neuroscience ward. PARTICIPANTS: Women
(N=25) with severe TBI (aged between 17 and 50 years; duration of posttraumatic
amnesia ranged from 1 to 123d). Sixteen family caregivers also participated.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Community integration was
measured using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory. Depression, anxiety, and
stress were measured using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. The Sentinel
Events Questionnaire was used to record life events that potentially influence
the transition process. RESULTS: Most women (>16 at each time point) experienced
mild to moderate impairments in psychosocial integration. A third of the sample
reported symptoms of depression (n=8), anxiety (n=9), and stress (n=7) that
exceeded clinical cutoff levels on at least 1 occasion. At 6 months, 3 women
reported clinically significant depression and anxiety (12%) and 2 reported
significant stress levels (8%). Positive sentinel events such as return to
meaningful occupation were common (n=14). Negative sentinel events were also
quite common. For example, reduced access to therapy, reported by 10 women, was
associated with poorer participation levels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest
that the presence of sentinel events influences the transition experiences of
women with TBI in this sample. Rehabilitation should consider the occurrence and
impact of sentinel events because this may facilitate successful transitions.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS