The complexity of traumatic brain injury (TBI) presents a medical challenge to health care providers and a lifelong commitment to the family. To provide comprehensive care, practitioners first must understand the mechanisms and biomechanics of brain trauma and the resultant pathophysiology in addition to current technological advances employed in the monitoring of the patient with TBI. The care of pediatric or older adult patients with TBI requires special considerations unique to these populations. In addition to the physiological aspects, the health care team also needs to be cognizant of the neuropsychological squelae of TBI in order to perform a comprehensive assessment and to implement a mutidisciplinary and discharge plan that addresses the total needs of the patient.

In this issue, these topics will be explored and will act as the foundation for the February Critical Care Nursing Quarterly issue, which will focus on the acute care management of the adult TBI patient and provide a comprehensive review of the current research and quality of life aspects of traumatic brain injury.

We dedicate this issue to our patients with brain injury, past, present and future.