Wednesday March 5, 2014
What is it?
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a disruption of function in the brain resulting from a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury. Causes of traumatic brain injuries may include falls, motor vehicle crashes, assaults, and combat events such as blasts. TBIs are classified at the time of injury as mild, moderate, severe, or penetrating.
The vast majority of traumatic brain injuries that occur in the Army are mild TBIs, also known as concussions. Early identification and treatment following a concussion are essential to maximizing recovery.
What has the Army done?
In 2009, the Army implemented its own mild TBI (mTBI)/concussive injury management strategy of Educate, Train, Treat, and Track.
The Army TBI enterprise management provides a standardized, comprehensive program that delivers a continuum of integrated care for all severities of TBI from point-of-injury to return to duty or transition from active duty.
In June 2013, the Army published HQDA EXORD 165-13: Department of the Army Guidance for Management of Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Garrison Setting. The policy directs that any deployed Soldier who is involved in a potentially concussive event, such as being involved in a motor vehicle crash, must undergo a medical evaluation. For those Soldiers diagnosed with a concussion, HQDA EXORD 165-13 mandates a minimum 24-hour recovery period.
What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
The Army will continue to aggressively educate all Soldiers and train Department of the Army medical providers about TBI, conduct vital research, continue neurocognitive testing, validate every medical treatment facilities that provides TBI care, and track those Soldiers screened for and diagnosed with a concussion.
The Army will also continue to collaborate with its many partners ranging from those in the Department of Defense (DOD) to academic institutions to learn more about the brain and how it heals in order to deliver the best TBI care possible. The desired end-state is to deliver responsive, reliable, and relevant TBI care that enhances Soldier and unit readiness, optimizes value, and transforms the care experience of the Soldiers and their families.
Why is this important to the Army?
According to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, more than 168,000 Army personnel have sustained a TBI since January 2000. TBI not only impacts mission integrity and force health protection, but also affects military family members. The Army remains committed to providing world-class healthcare for its Soldiers and their families.
Army Medicine is Serving to Heal & Honored to Serve
Resources:
Subscribe to STAND-TO! to learn about the U.S. Army initiatives.