Following the accident, a person with a severe brain injury requires medical stabilization to monitor and manage basic life systems such as respiration. Many individuals need neurosurgery to control bleeding inside the brain or between the brain and the skull, repair damaged tissue, or control fluid pressure within the brain. These procedures are invasive and generally require a highly specialized medical treatment team. There may be a phase of intense medical supervision in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or in a Neurological Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
As the patient stabilizes and the life threatening aspects of the injury subside, a hospital-based medical rehabilitation program should be considered. Medical rehabilitation programs provide restorative therapies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, while continuing to provide medical and nursing supervision. Once hospital-based rehabilitation has been completed the person may require a community-based program or ongoing outpatient rehabilitation services. In cases where the injury has caused severe and persisting deficits and high care needs, the patient may require ongoing rehabilitation in extended or long-term care environments. In these cases, transitional and supported living programs may be appropriate.