Pentagon Issues New Policy For Diagnosing And Treating Brain Injuries

Pentagon Issues New Policy For Diagnosing And Treating Brain Injuries

by T. Christian Miller and Daniel Zwerdling


The Pentagon has issued a new directive ordering better tracking and treatment of mild traumatic brain injuries in war zones, including a mandatory 24-hour rest period for any soldier exposed to a nearby blast.

The new policy, which has been in development for months, also requires soldiers who have suffered three mild traumatic brain injuries, also known as concussions, to have a complete neurological assessment done before returning to the battlefield.

Military medical experts praised the new policy as an encouraging change in the Pentagon's approach.

The directive places the focus on evaluating all soldiers exposed to a blast or other head trauma, as opposed to relying upon medical staff or soldiers themselves to report symptoms from an injury.

"This relieves the burden of the soldier having to say, 'I'm hurt,'" said Stephen Xenakis, a retired brigadier general who advises the military on medical issues. "When you do that, it's like routine maintenance on a vehicle. It's understood that it's what you need to do responsibly to maintain optimal performance."
read more here
New Policy For Diagnosing And Treating Brain Injuries
linked from Stars & Stripes