BCIPLAN Presentation on Brain BCIPLAN Presentation on Brain

Injury/ Closed Head InjuryInjury/ Closed Head Injury

Dr. Brian HuntDr. Brian Hunt

September 15, 2009September 15, 2009

DefinitionDefinition

Severity of head injurySeverity of head injury

�� MildMild

�� ModerateModerate

�� SevereSevere

Problematic StagesProblematic Stages

�� PrePre--hospitalhospital

�� At HospitalAt Hospital

�� PostPost--hospitalhospital

Injuries happenInjuries happen……

�� On the roadsOn the roads

�� At workAt work

�� At homeAt home

�� At schoolAt school

�� Playing sportsPlaying sports

�� Recreational pursuitsRecreational pursuits

Motor Vehicle CrashMotor Vehicle Crash

�� People stopping to help crash victims need People stopping to help crash victims need

educationeducation

�� SignageSignage

�� FlaresFlares

�� First Aid trainingFirst Aid training

Emergency Response TeamsEmergency Response Teams

�� Crash victims tell ambulance, fire and Crash victims tell ambulance, fire and

police that they donpolice that they don’’t want to go to t want to go to

hospitalhospital

�� Suitability of response personSuitability of response person

Cell phone accessCell phone access

�� Provincial cell phone access is poorProvincial cell phone access is poor

�� Problematic for alerting emergency Problematic for alerting emergency

services when neededservices when needed

Crashes cause long delaysCrashes cause long delays

�� Angry drivers go on to cause more Angry drivers go on to cause more

crashes!crashes!

�� Better communication is neededBetter communication is needed

Hospital AccessHospital Access

Major vs. peripheral Major vs. peripheral centrescentres

�� RuralRural

�� Example of ranchersExample of ranchers

�� Need helicopter padsNeed helicopter pads

TreatmentTreatment

�� Moderate and severe brain injuries get Moderate and severe brain injuries get

excellent treatmentexcellent treatment

�� Mild TBI are often treated inadequatelyMild TBI are often treated inadequately

�� Poor information or no informationPoor information or no information

�� Poor followPoor follow--up or no followup or no follow--upup

�� What should be done to improve What should be done to improve

treatment of mild TBI?treatment of mild TBI?

Organizations can helpOrganizations can help

�� BCMABCMA

�� ICBCICBC

�� WorksafeWorksafe

�� Court SystemCourt System

�� Education systemEducation system

�� Legislation, e.g. helmets, laddersLegislation, e.g. helmets, ladders

Questions?Questions?