Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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