Initial treatment of a Traumatic Brain Injury begins upon arrival to a hospital.  At the hospital, a team of medical professionals will meet the patient. The trauma surgeon, acting as the leader, will direct the team. The trauma staff will initiate resuscitation procedures, monitor the body's vital functions, respond to potential life-threatening changes and coordinate care with other hospital personnel.

While the physicians are evaluating the patient and the response to treatment, the trauma nurse is caring for the patient. The nurse will orovide resuscitation, stabilize and  give supportive care. The nurses have the responsibility to coordinate and provide communication within the hospital and with the family.

Once stabilized, the patient will be transferred to a specialized trauma care unit. Care will now be provided by the critical care nursing staff. The nursing staff's responsibility is to assess, monitor and interpret vital physiologic or body functions, notify the physician of changes, repeat assessments at regular intervals and provide information for the family. The patient will be monitored for signs of infection and pain.

Other key staff also will play a role on the specialized trauma care unit. The respiratory therapist will help with the initial resuscitation efforts, provide oxygen therapy, configure the ventilator settings and will assure proper equipment functioning.  The respiratory therapist will also monitor the patient's breathing bylooking at blood gas results and listening to the lungs.