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| <p>Optimal Locations for VA Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment Programs</p> | |
| <p><strong><em>W. BRUCE VOGEL, Ph.D.</em></strong></p> | |
| <p><em>Research Health Scientist</em></p> | |
| <p><em>Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center of Excellence (RORC) North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System</em></p> | |
| <p>Associate Professor, </p> | |
| <p>College of Medicine, University of Florida</p> | |
| <p>The objective of this research is to develop a mathematical model for determining the optimal number and locations for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) treatment programs within the VA. The optimal number and location of TBI treatment programs are defined as the number of programs and their locations within the U.S. that minimize the sum of patient travel costs and VA operating costs.</p> | |
| <p>Within the VA, TBI patients consume a large amount of resources as evidenced by their average lengths-of-stay of 20-30 days. Since approximately 1,000-1,600 hospital discharges per year are attributable to patients with TBI-related diagnoses, availability and accessibility of TBI treatment facilities within the VA is important. Timely treatment of many types of traumatic brain injuries is critical in achieving maximal recovery, and being in a geographical proximity to a medical facility where specialized TBI treatment is available is a major determinant of whether treatment is available and accessible to the patient.</p> | |
| <p>In addition, this work in support of model development will provide information that will be useful in budgeting and outreach activities. The research findings will also be useful in reducing costs for the VA and allow the VA to more efficiently serve the nation's veterans who suffer with TBI-related conditions.</p> | |
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