March 16, 2010 - Pentagon Sets Brain Trauma Protocols
Guidelines for treating mild traumatic brain injury among service personnel in combat areas are being rolled out, the U.S. Defense Department said Tuesday.
"The tenet behind this is we strongly believe that early detection and early treatment decrease the complaints of post-traumatic brain injury after sustaining an injury," Kathy Helmick, director of traumatic brain injury clinical standards of care at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury, said in a Pentagon release.
The new protocol will go into effect soon, Helmick said. Among other things, the protocol will make head injury evaluations mandatory for military personnel who are near explosions or blasts, rather than troops deciding for themselves whether to report any symptoms.
"We are fast-tracking our research portfolios so that we can translate the findings from research being done into clinical practice and improve care on the battlefield as soon as possible," Helmick said.
The Pentagon also is working with the National Football League to share information on traumatic brain injury research, she said. The NFL and the Defense Department both stepped up efforts to learn more about brain injuries and implement measures for prevention and treatment.
"(The) groups are working on creating a change in attitude so that service members, like athletes, don't discount symptoms but get early treatment, which will lead to early recovery," Helmick said.
<< back
|
The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney
who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific
case and the relevant law. See Terms
of Use.
The law firm of Harold D. Carr is not responsible for information contained in any links to other websites from this site.
Links are provided for educational information only and may not apply to your specific circumstance.
It is possible for information on other links to be inaccurate or misleading. You are cautioned to exercise extreme care when using any resource link.
For specific legal advice regarding your specific case contact the law firm of Harold D. Carr at 1 800 700 8082.
|
