Variation in structure and process of care in traumatic brain injury: provider profiles of European Neurotrauma centers participating in the CENTER-TBI study

Cnossen, M. C., Polinder, S., Lingsma, H. F., Maas, A. I. R., Menon, D., Steyerberg, E. W. and Stewart, W. (2016) Variation in structure and process of care in traumatic brain injury: provider profiles of European Neurotrauma centers participating in the CENTER-TBI study. PLoS ONE, 11(8), e0161367. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161367) (PMID:27571205) (PMCID:PMC5003388)

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Abstract

Introduction: The strength of evidence underpinning care and treatment recommendations in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is low. Comparative effectiveness research (CER) has been proposed as a framework to provide evidence for optimal care for TBI patients. The first step in CER is to map the existing variation. The aim of current study is to quantify variation in general structural and process characteristics among centers participating in the Collaborative European NeuroTrauma Effectiveness Research in Traumatic Brain Injury (CENTER-TBI) study. Methods: We designed a set of 11 provider profiling questionnaires with 321 questions about various aspects of TBI care, chosen based on literature and expert opinion. After pilot testing, questionnaires were disseminated to 71 centers from 20 countries participating in the CENTER-TBI study. Reliability of questionnaires was estimated by calculating a concordance rate among 5% duplicate questions. Results: All 71 centers completed the questionnaires. Median concordance rate among duplicate questions was 0.85. The majority of centers were academic hospitals (n = 65, 92%), designated as a level I trauma center (n = 48, 68%) and situated in an urban location (n = 70, 99%). The availability of facilities for neuro-trauma care varied across centers; e.g. 40 (57%) had a dedicated neuro-intensive care unit (ICU), 36 (51%) had an in-hospital rehabilitation unit and the organization of the ICU was closed in 64% (n = 45) of the centers. In addition, we found wide variation in processes of care, such as the ICU admission policy and intracranial pressure monitoring policy among centers. Conclusion: Even among high-volume, specialized neurotrauma centers there is substantial variation in structures and processes of TBI care. This variation provides an opportunity to study effectiveness of specific aspects of TBI care and to identify best practices with CER approaches.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stewart, Dr William
Authors: Cnossen, M. C., Polinder, S., Lingsma, H. F., Maas, A. I. R., Menon, D., Steyerberg, E. W., and Stewart, W.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:PLoS ONE
Publisher:Public Library of Science
ISSN:1932-6203
ISSN (Online):1932-6203
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Cnossen et al.
First Published:First published in PLoS ONE 11(8):e0161367
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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