Dev. of a Risk Adj. Model for Ped. Rehab. Patients w/ABI

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of this research project is to
develop a risk adjustment model that can be applied in pediatric patients with
acquired brain injury when they present for pediatric rehabilitation. Patients
with acute brain injury admitted for pediatric rehabilitation are a very
heterogeneous population with substantial variation in age, nature of brain
injury, severity of disability, and potential response to therapy. This
variation in baseline differences hinders the assessment of therapy in
observational and experimental studies and prevents comparisons of the quality
of care among pediatric rehabilitation programs. Currently, there are no risk
adjustment tools that are known to be valid and reliable for use in patients
receiving pediatric rehabilitation after acquired brain injury. This model can
then be used in the evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions in
experimental and observational studies. It will also facilitate risk-adjusted
evaluation of pediatric rehabilitation programs.