Download fact sheet - Shepherd Center

fact sheet
2020 Peachtree Rd. N.W. Atlanta, GA 30309
404-352-2020
shepherd.org
C omplex C oncussion C linic
A
P
DOLESCENT
ROGRAM
Streamlined
evaluation and treatment
of complicated cases
Concussions, which are mild traumatic brain injuries
caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head, typically resolve
within
a week counts.
or two. Studies
In typical
concussions,
xperience
show
that patientsheadaches
are more
and other
symptoms
subside,
and
patients
return
to work,
likely to experience fewer medical complications,
school
the functional
playing field,
feeling as capable
as to
they
did
achieveormore
independence
and return
school
before
their injury.
percent that
of cases
present
and community
if But
theyabout
go to 20
a hospital
treats
a higha
more
difficult
scenario, withinjured
complications
volume
of catastrophically
patients.that fall beyond
the scope
of
primary
care
physicians.
Because all of our resources are devoted to treating
central
nervous
injuries
andComplex
illnesses,Concussion
Shepherd
For these
cases, system
Shepherd
Center’s
Centeroffers
has more
experience assessment
treating teenagers
with these
Clinic
comprehensive
and treatment
by
kinds
of
catastrophic
brain
and
spinal
cord
injuries
than
a team of specialists in neurology, vestibular and balance
general rehabilitation
facilities.
This experience
–
disorders,
athletic training,
rehabilitation
medicine,
approximately
60
youngsters
age
12
to
17
each
year
–
is
neuropsychology and neurosurgery.
reflected in our outcomes, which exceed national averages.
Concussions can affect different brain networks, and
swiftly addressing the range of impairments can speed
T REATMENT
the
patient’s recovery. The Complex Concussion Clinic
streamlines care by providing interdisciplinary resources
Shepherd Center treats more than
at a single site. The patient evaluation includes cognitive,
ocular-motor,
vestibular
60 inpatient
teenagersand
withbalance testing, and, when
needed, advanced imaging using three-dimensional and
catastrophic injuries each year
high-resolution technology.
E
The Complex Concussion Clinic care team meets
to
developof ateen
personalized
plan. and
Complex
Hundreds
patients aretreatment
leading longer
better
concussion
often
problems
that involve
quality livespatients
because of
the have
acute care,
rehabilitation
and
balance,
pain,
mood,
sensitivity
and
medical and
surgical
care attention,
available at light
Shepherd
Center. Our
sleep.
Theytrack
may begins
be athletes
wantcare
to return
tofocustheir
adolescent
in the who
intensive
unit and
sport,
who are
school
employees
es on astudents
healthy lifestyle
and missing
the highest
level or
of functioning
who
are losing time
from Itwork.
The clinic’s extensive
and independence
possible.
includes:
program provides recreation therapy, cognitive therapy,
occupational
therapy, psychological
• An interdisciplinary
approach tocounseling,
addressing vestibular
the teen
therapy
for dizziness
and balance,
and athleticsocialization,
training.
patient’s
special need
for independence,
age-appropriate
activities,
andConcussion
privacy.
Patients can access
the security
Complex
Clinic
through
a referral by10-member,
their frontline
provider,
which could
• A physician-led,
dedicated
treatment
team.
be a sports medicine, emergency room or primary care
physician or athletic trainer. Referral is appropriate for
• A high
priority on the involvement of family and friends.
patients
who:
••Private
rooms tobalance
allow patients
spend
thelasting
night,
Have dizziness,
problemstoand
nausea
when
morepossible.
than a few days after the injury.
Have dizziness
and difficulty
sleeping
or concentrating
••Education
and training
in problem
solving,
stigma mantwo to three
weeks afterdrug
injury.
agement,
self-advocacy,
and alcohol awareness,
•self-care
Had a and
priorsexuality.
concussion that required an extended
recovery.
• Care
coordinated by a case manager who provides
review.of migraines or learning challenges.
•utilization
Have a history
G
oals of the Complex
E DUCATION
C
oncussion
Clinicis extremely important for
Staying
on track academically
We strive to return
to their
fullpercent
activityofand
catastrophically
injuredpatients
teens. More
than 90
our
performance
level
as
quickly
and
as
safely
as
possible.
spinal cord injured adolescent patients return to school
While
rest of
maydischarge.
be necessary
for up to
hours
withincognitive
two weeks
Of those,
9548percent
after
injury,
we with
determine
when
need active
their class
withpatients
their pre-injury
GPA.
graduate
on time
therapy
to prevent
long-term
complications
and return
to spark
For adolescents
with
a brain injury,
95 percent
to
recovery.
We
seek
the
best
outcome
for
every
patient
school within three to six months.
whileDriving
minimizing
the use ofaugmentative
medications, which
can mask
evaluations,
communication
symptoms
andand
cause
side effects
that impede
progress.
assessments,
vocational
assessments
are another
part of
Shepherd’s
approach
Treatmentwhole-patient
duration varies
basedtooneducation.
individual needs,
but typically involves outpatient visits for eight to 12
weeks.
We serve
well as adults, in our
R ETURN
TO Sadolescents,
CHOOL Pas
ROGRAM
4,000-square-foot therapy space, which has state-of-theRecognizing that adolescents rely on school experiences
art equipment for strengthening, athletic conditioning and
and positive peer interactions for much of their self-esteem
balance, oculomotor training and gait training.
and growth, Shepherd Center has developed a program to
The Complex
Concussion
Clinic Designed
builds on
facilitate
the back-to-school
transition.
by the
the
experiences
of
clinicians
in
Shepherd
Center’s
SHARE
individual patient, the program can include in-school
Military
Initiative,
which provides
for service
awareness
and sensitivity
training care
for school
staff men
and and
stuwomen
who
sustained
mild
to
moderate
traumatic
brain
dents, as well as instruction in medical issues that may arise
injury.
injuries
duringTheir
the school
day.are usually blast-related – as opposed
to the sports injuries, falls and motor vehicle accidents
that comprise most of the cases seen by the Complex
Concussion Clinic. But much has been learned from the
successful rehabilitation of our military clients.
Shepherd Center also has a long history of supporting
professional, collegiate and youth sports teams. Using
telemedicine, our specialists consult with coaches, athletes,
parents and school officials to ensure safe return to play.
We also assist in designing temporary accommodations as
needed to enable patients to return to school or work.
Complex concussions can be troubling for patients
and medically challenging for frontline physicians. Our
focused approach to care can significantly reduce recovery
time and improve patient outcomes.
Contact
Complex Concussion Clinic
80 Peachtree Park Drive (2020 Peachtree Road NW
until new facility opens in the first half of 2017)
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-603-4980
[email protected].
MKT 9/16