December 4, 2009
Did you know...?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the workplace
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has always been a major concern in workers’ compensation, but recent research coming out of the sports world is rapidly changing our understanding of the long-term consequences of TBI. This new understanding from sports is likely applicable to occupational and industrial injuries, and therefore may signal a changing landscape in workers’ compensation for self-insurers.
Recent studies show that the public health burden of sports-related concussions and brain trauma is far greater than athletes and families have ever appreciated. The research has also shown that a lack of proper education and response after TBI has made the problem far worse. Early adoption of the lessons learned in sports may provide the insurance and workers’ compensation fields opportunities to provide better, more efficient, and less costly care after TBI.
The Center for Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) operates a brain bank where analysis of brains of former athletes is performed to learn how repetitive trauma affects the brain on a microscopic level. From September 2008 through June 2009, six of six former football players, all of whom died between the ages of 18 and 66, were diagnosed to be suffering from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). CTE is a progressive degenerative brain disease caused by trauma and marked by excessive amounts of the protein tau throughout the brain.
CTE shares some symptoms and pathology with Alzheimer’s disease, but is a distinct disease. Deceased former NFL players who suffered from CTE include John Grimsley, Tom McHale, Mike Webster and Andre Waters. Combined with external research, 10 of 11 football players ever studied have been diagnosed with CTE, all in the last eight years.
CTE, previously known by the term “punch drunk” as it frequently affects boxers, is a devastating disease than can occur in anyone that suffers trauma to the brain. Prior to death, the CTE sufferers tend to suffer memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, paranoia, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, progressive dementia. There is great concern that CTE affects a significant percentage of contact sports athletes.
In the workers’ compensation field, this and other new research provides three key insights:
· First, TBI’s that may seem to lead to a full recovery can actually cause a life-long degenerative disease that currently can only be identified post-mortem.
· Second, employees that have past brain injuries may already have CTE or be predisposed to more severe symptoms following a TBI due to past brain injuries.
· Third, acute response and management after traumatic brain injury is crucial to giving an employee the best chance at a full recovery.
In light of these insights, it may be time to reevaluate the approach to traumatic brain injury, especially when it comes to prevention and education. In the sports world education is a key component to gain buy-in from athletes in respecting TBI, allowing athletes to know when to seek care and methods to minimize their exposure to risky situations. The goal is to help athletes return to play at full strength and minimize the risk of long-term effects. A similar model applied in workers’ compensation may reduce the overall burden of TBI in the workplace.
***We are now open Saturdays at our Independence location from 9am - 1pm to serve your occupational medicine and urgent care needs. Our Independence location is open 5pm - 9pm Monday - Friday to serve your after hour needs as well***
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
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services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services
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OHS-COMPCARE now featuring Adult Quick Care (Urgent Care Services) has seven (7) area clinical facilities:
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Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
816-761-4664 |
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After Hours Available 5-9pm M-F *Now open Saturday 9am – 1pm |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
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Adult Quick Care provides Urgent Care to Adults and Adolescents Age 14 and Older.
No appointment is necessary at Adult Quick Care.
When you are sick or have a new injury, Adult Quick Care is your affordable, time saving choice for quality care.
To learn more about Adult Quick Care please call 816-559-6320 or visit www.adultquickcare.com.