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concussions

Physical Therapy to Treat Traumatic Brain Injury

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There is no exact time frame for recovering from a traumatic brain injury, but the majority of adults will see symptoms subside after 10-14 days. In rare cases, concussion symptoms may persist for weeks, months or even years after the initial injury — and, as with any rehabilitative injury, these patients may benefit from physical therapy.

According to the Concussion Alliance, physical therapists can play a significant role in the rehabilitation process, particularly in treating neck and upper back pain, as well as dizziness and balance problems. Physical therapists can also help provide early-stage treatment of dysfunctions of the vision system, which can be caused by a concussion.

Recent research suggests that working with physical therapists can be beneficial as early as a few days after the injury, both reducing risk of persistent concussion symptoms and helping the injured individual recover quicker, with fewer complications. Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine is pleased to now offer physical therapy evaluation and treatments through Mercy Motion. The service is available for patients by appointment at the West Asheville location, 1201 Patton Avenue, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

learn more about mercy motion physical therapy evaluations and treatments

Quick Concussion Assessment with BrainScope

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A brain injury needs prompt diagnosis and treatment. But it’s not always easy to detect. That’s why it’s important to get any head injury checked, even if the injured party thinks they’re okay.

Fortunately, Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine can screen for concussions and other serious brain injuries with an innovative new device called BrainScope®. A BrainScope head injury assessment is:

  • Fast: An assessment can be completed in as quickly as 10 minutes.
  • Patient-friendly: It’s non-invasive.
  • Accurate and comprehensive: BrainScope is the only device that objectively assesses the entire spectrum of brain injury – including concussions.
  • Convenient: Reduces the wait times, expense and stress of a typical ER visit.
  • Peace of mind: Get the answers you need, and treatment if you need it.

What to expect

Mercy’s medical staff will assess your employee’s injury and symptoms, then place a disposable BrainScope headset on their head. The device measures brain electrical activity and neurocognitive function. Using a handheld portable screen, the clinician will review the data to answer two key questions: Is it likely that there’s a structural brain injury that would be visible on a CT scan? Is there evidence of functional abnormality that would indicate a concussion?

Depending on those results, the individual may be referred for proper treatment or further tests.

Schedule an assessment today

BrainScope and Mercy Urgent Care are here to assess your employees’ injuries, getting them the help they need — fast. Available for patients 13-85 years of age, within 3 days of mild head injury, BrainScope assessments are offered at both Mercy Urgent Care West and Mercy Urgent Care Weaverville.

Brain Injury Awareness Month: Concussions in the Workplace

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According to the Brain Injury Association of America, at least 2.8 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries — more commonly known as concussions — each year in the United States. About 24% of these injuries happen in the workplace, most commonly caused by falls, vehicular accidents or being struck in the head by machinery or falling objects. That’s why, for Brain Injury Awareness Month this March, it’s important for employers to learn about concussions in the workplace, from preventative measures to symptoms and treatment.

How can concussions at work be prevented?

It’s important to remember that, no matter how prepared you and your employees are, accidents still happen. That said, you can reduce risk in your workplace by:

  • ensuring employees are physically fit to perform a task before assigning it to them.
  • keeping staffing at adequate levels each shift to avoid employee fatigue.
  • scheduling ongoing concussion safety training.
  • keeping the workplace tidy and free of tripping hazards.
  • installing guardrails and safety nets.
  • providing adequate training to ensure each employee understands his or her tasks.
  • conducting regular safety inspections.
  • encouraging employees to report hazards.
  • having a protocol in place for head injuries in the workplace.

What are the symptoms of concussion?

Whenever an employee hits his or her head on the job, they should be monitored for signs of brain injury. But supervisors should be aware that not all concussions are caused by a direct blow to the skull. In fact, according to an article on neurology in Scientific American, many traumatic brain injuries do not involve a direct hit to the head. Any accident or sudden motion that causes the brain to “slosh around in the skull,” such as sudden deceleration during a vehicle collision or fall, can cause a serious concussion. With that in mind, here’s what to watch out for after accidents or injuries in the workplace.

To an observer, a concussed employee may:

  • not be able to recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.
  • appear dazed or stunned.
  • forget instructions or seem confused about tasks following the injury.
  • move clumsily.
  • answer questions slowly.
  • lose consciousness (even briefly).
  • show mood, behavior or personality changes.

The employee may report or experience symptoms like:

  • headache or pressure in the head.
  • nausea or vomiting.
  • balance problems, dizziness or double/blurry vision.
  • being bothered by light or noise.
  • feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy.
  • confusion, concentration or memory problems.
  • “not feeling right” or feeling down.

Signs and symptoms generally begin to show up soon after the injury, but in some cases they take hours or days to appear. While an immediate response is necessary for any head injury, it’s important to continue assessing the individual for signs of brain injury throughout the rest of the workday — and for a few days following the accident.

What to do if an employee gets a head injury at work

  1. Be Prepared. The most important pre-injury step is to have a protocol in place for head injuries at work. Supervisors and other employees should be made aware of how to handle these situations so that prompt care can be provided to the injured individual.
  2. Respond Immediately. All head injuries on the job should be taken seriously, and injured employees should be referred to a medical provider who can identify and treat concussions. Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine can quickly screen for concussions using an innovative device called BrainScope (more on this device below).
  3. Create a Work Injury Report. Keep a written record of the accident, including pictures, any equipment involved in the injury and witness testimony.
  4. Provide Workers Compensation Forms. If an employee sustains a head injury at work, help them file a workers compensation claim with the company’s insurance provider.
  5. Be Patient. Once an employee is cleared to return to work by a medical provider, they may require additional accommodations such as reduced hours or avoiding certain tasks until fully recovered.

Think one of your employees may have a concussion? Schedule a BrainScope assessment at our West Asheville or Weaverville location.

Concussion Awareness Day

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National Concussion Awareness Day, Sept. 16, is a great time to review your company’s protocols for head injuries in the workplace. Concussions or traumatic brain injuries that occur on the job typically happen due to falls, falling objects or motor vehicle crashes — and, unfortunately, these types of injuries can be some of the most difficult to recognize and treat.

In terms of cost, the financial impact of a brain injury can sometimes be felt for years after the initial incident. According to the Brain Injury Law Center, the total cost of a serious brain injury can exceed six figures in the first year alone. With that and the safety of employees in mind, it is important that all staff be aware of the dangers of workplace head injuries.

If one of your employees has a head injury at work, what should you do?

Be Prepared. Have a plan in place for dealing with head injuries, and ensure management and staff know and understand the assessment and treatment procedures. The CDC provides a list of symptoms that employees can look out for — which may either be observed by others or reported by the injured individual.

Respond Immediately. If an employee injures his or her head while at work, time is of the essence. Quickly assess the individual for signs of a concussion and seek further treatment if symptoms are present. Mercy Occupational Medicine offers comprehensive concussion assessments through BrainScope technology.

Create a Work Injury Report. Keep a record of the incident, citing any equipment involved, pictures of the equipment and injury, and witness testimony. OSHA may require this type of reporting for specific injuries.

Provide Workers’ Compensation Support. If an employee is injured at work, help them file a workers’ compensation claim with the company’s insurance provider.

Be Patient. Once an employee is cleared to return to work, they may require special accommodations such as reduced hours or avoiding certain tasks.

Since a concussion may not be a visible injury, an employee who has sustained any form of head injury should be immediately checked for possible concussion. They should be taken to an urgent care or emergency room for diagnosis, and then referred to a specialist or neurologist for further treatment, if necessary.

Mercy Urgent Care is equipped to quickly and efficiently diagnose concussions and other brain injuries through an innovative device called BrainScope®, a medical tool that can detect and identify a wide spectrum of brain injuries, including concussions, structural injuries and injuries to brain function. BrainScope assessments, available at our West Asheville and Weaverville clinic locations, can be performed in about an hour, saving precious time and money over a lengthy ER visit.

What can employers do to prevent concussions in the workplace?

Below are a few tips for creating a safer work environment. Implementing these changes and sharing these suggestions with employees can help prevent potential head injuries at work.

  • Remove tripping hazards. Keep walkways and workspaces free of clutter, cords, water or anything that could cause a slip, trip or fall.
  • Ensure that proper signage is available and visible to alert employees of wet or slippery surfaces.
  • Use handrails when climbing or descending stairs.
  • Advise employees to be cautious when working from heights. Never stand on the top two steps of a ladder.
  • If a job requires a helmet, make sure it fits properly and is in good condition.
  • Make sure all vehicles, whether in warehouses or on the road, are well-maintained and fully operational.
  • Keep heavy or bulky objects stored on lower shelves, and avoid maneuvering heavy items above your head.

BrainScope head injury assessments at Mercy Urgent Care are fast, patient-friendly, accurate and comprehensive. The BrainScope system can even be used to establish a baseline for your employees, which can be helpful should an injury occur.

Workplace Concussion: Introducing BrainScope

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From the June Mercy Occupational Medicine  eNewsletter

A head injury can be one of the most dangerous and costly on-the-job accidents employees and their employers face. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries need prompt diagnosis and treatment, making it incredibly important to receive medical attention for all head injuries, even when the individual seems OK.

Fortunately, Mercy Urgent Care is equipped to help quickly and efficiently diagnose concussions and other brain injuries using BrainScope® technology, an innovative new medical device that helps assess and identify a wide spectrum of brain injuries, from concussions to structural injuries and injuries to brain function. Available at our West Asheville and Weaverville urgent care clinics, BrainScope assessments are fast, accurate and accessible — taking usually only about an hour — saving precious time and money over a lengthy ER visit.

But time isn’t the only thing it helps save. In terms of insurance and workers’ compensation claims, the financial impact of a brain injury can sometimes be felt for years after the initial incident — especially without proper diagnosis and treatment. The sooner an employee with a potential concussion can be examined and treated, the lower the risk of long-term damage.

Brain injuries are not limited to concussions alone. Other types of brain injuries include contusions, in which the brain is literally bruised; a penetrating head wound such as skull fracture; or an anoxic brain injury, where the brain is deprived of oxygen. Concussions, however, remain the most common form of brain injury in the workplace.

Often referred to as “invisible” injuries, concussions do not always result in obvious physical problems. Understanding the symptoms that indicate a concussive brain injury is vital to effective treatment. The sooner an employee with a potential concussion can be examined and treated, the lower the risk of long-term damage.

So, who is susceptible?
Employees working in industries like construction or manufacturing may appear more likely to be exposed to a potential brain injury. However, any employee in any kind of work environment can be susceptible. For example, loose carpeting, a spill in the breakroom, or a rain-soaked staircase could all be potential fall hazards resulting in possible concussion or brain injury.

What should you do if a head injury occurs?
Since a concussion may not be a visible injury, an employee who has sustained any form of head injury should be immediately checked for a possible concussion. They should be taken to an urgent care or emergency room for diagnosis, and then referred to a specialist or neurologist for further treatment, if necessary.

It is important to note that concussion diagnoses can be somewhat subjective. Physicians and providers typically look for certain key symptoms that indicate the possibility of brain injury. Common medical wisdom is to err on the side of caution, since even “mild” concussions can have serious, debilitating effects. The BrainScope technology available at Mercy Urgent Care can save trips to the ER, prevent the need for expensive CT scans, and save the patient from unnecessary radiation exposure.

What can employers do to prevent possible brain injuries?
Below are some tips for creating a safer work environment. Implementing these changes and sharing these suggestions with employees can help prevent potential head injuries.

  • Remove tripping hazards. Keep walkways and workspaces free of clutter, cords, water, or anything that could cause a slip, trip, or fall.
  • Use proper signage to alert employees of wet surfaces.
  • Use handrails when climbing or descending stairs.
  • Avoid standing on chairs, desks, or tables. Use a ladder or step-stool instead.
  • Use caution when working from heights. Never stand on the top two steps of a ladder.
  • If a job requires wearing a helmet, make sure it fits properly and is in good condition.
  • Make sure all vehicles, either warehouse or on-road, are well-maintained and fully operational.
  • Keep heavy or bulky objects stored on lower shelving racks, and avoid maneuvering heavy items above your head.

Remember that brain injuries can be very costly to employers and employees alike. According to the Brain Injury Law Center, the total cost of a serious brain injury can exceed six figures in the first year. Recovering from a serious injury can include speech, occupational, and physical therapy — and treatment can take months, or even years. Treating a severe brain injury can include lengthy hospital stays, extensive rehabilitation and medication costs, occupational retraining, and even assistance from a personal caregiver or nurse.

Concussion assessment with BrainScope

A head injury assessment using the innovative new BrainScope device at Mercy Urgent Care is fast, patient-friendly, accurate, and comprehensive. BrainScope is able to provide objective data on concussion, structural brain injury, and brain function. Whereas most offices use only subjective data, Mercy Urgent Care can provide a more comprehensive evaluation and follow-up to concussive brain injuries. The BrainScope system can even be used to establish a baseline for your employees, which can be helpful in the event of any future injuries that may occur.

Learn more about BrainScope here.

Ask how Mercy Urgent Care can help your organization better manage brain injury protocols