Belvoir hospital offers holistic approach to treating brain injuries

By: Kristin Ellis/Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Public Affairs | Published: April 19, 2012 Updated: April 19, 2012 - 9:25 AM

According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, an estimated 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year, 30,000 of whom are servicemembers.

The month of March recognized and raised awareness about brain injuries to include the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. TBI is a disruption of function in the brain caused by an external force. The severity can range from mild, also known as concussion, to severe involving an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia.

Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active-duty military personnel in war zones, while falls account for 35 percent of TBI cases in the civilian world, according to DVBIC.

"Many people do not realize that they sustained a brain injury," said Dr. Heechin Chae, chief of the Traumatic Brain Injury Department. "It is an invisible injury. The CDC and the military reports that many cases go undiagnosed. Brain Injury Awareness month or other related events helps these people get the appropriate help as well as prevent brain injury."

As of February, the TBI Clinic here has treated 228 cases using a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to treating brain injuries. Patients goes through an initial TBI diagnostic interview to determine whether they are positive or negative for a TBI and will be seen at the clinic for further care or referred to other services.

If positive, the patient will go through the TBI Interdisciplinary Evaluation, an intensive appointment where up to six patients are put in separate rooms once a week and each of the modalities within the department individually meet with a patient in a round-robin fashion. Then, the providers meet and review each case until they build a thorough plan for the patient.

"A brain injury is a complex injury to a complex organ," Chae explained. "Consequently, not one discipline or provider can help someone with TBI. An interdisciplinary approach is the only way to evaluate and treat a person with TBI. Its not an option or luxury. Its necessary."

The team then educates the patient on what the next step is in his treatment and assigns him a "care coordinator" to help navigate through the treatment plan.

The goal is to provide the most comprehensive care with as little stress on the patient as possible.

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Belvoir hospital offers holistic approach to treating brain injuries