Brain injury treatment

Whether it be from the battlefield or the playing field, traumatic brain injury is something that has received a good deal of discussion in recent years, and along with that comes some significant breakthroughs in how is it treated, especially in a pre-hospital setting.

When it comes to emergency medical services, Arizona is becoming recognized as leading the way with innovation when it comes to pre-hospital care in the field.

The University of Arizona has established the Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care (EPIC) project with a new emphasis on traumatic brain injury.

According to the UofA, an estimated 1,000 people die each week from traumatic brain injury in the United States. It is becoming clear that the care received before arriving at the hospital can make a significant difference in life or death and even the level of recovery for survivors.

There is growing evidence that treatment in the early minutes following an injury significantly impacts the outcome of recovery.

EMTs and paramedics around the state are receiving training for a new protocol for treating TBI patients for moderate to severe injury in the field.

Fountain Hills Fire Department Paramedic Capt. Todd Brunin is certified as a master trainer with EPIC, and he has trained the Fountain Hills crews.

Fire fighters with the Rio Verde Fire District and Fort McDowell Fire Department have also received the new training.

The training is simple, Brunin said. Our goal is to focus on preventing cells not already damaged from being damaged, causing secondary brain injury.

The stated goal for the EPIC project is to dramatically increase the number of severe TBI victims who survive with good neurological outcome by thoroughly implementing the national EMS TBI guidelines.

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Brain injury treatment