The Traumatic Brain Injury Center at Hennepin County Medical Center offers comprehensive, multidisciplinary patient care, education and research to serve people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We provide a full range of state-of-the-art medical and rehabilitative services. Our expertise spans the entire continuum of care for adult and pediatric TBI patients, from prevention to emergency care, neurosurgery, critical care, rehabilitation and the Mild to Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic.
Inpatient Services
Many patients begin their journey in the HCMC Emergency Department and are admitted to the Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience (STN) Intensive Care, Intermediate Care or Team Center for adult patients and Pediatric Intensive Care for children, where care is delivered by neurosurgeons, trauma surgeons, pediatric intensivists, nurses and therapists who are experts in neuroscience. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, trauma staff physicians and neurosurgery service physicians stay at the hospital 24 hours a day, ready to deliver state-of-the art care including intracranial pressure and oxygen monitoring for those severely injured. TBI specific education is a priority and resource information is given to patients and families. When appropriate, patients are referred to our rehabilitation center and TBI outpatient program.
Pediatric Brain Injury
HCMC has had a dedicated Pediatric Brain Injury Program since 1989 that serves hundreds of children each year. We were the first program in the nation to publish guidelines on returning children with mild brain injury to school and this remains a hallmark of our program with a dedicated coordinator/social worker.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation begins at admission and TBI inpatients are seen by Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation physicians and therapists in a timely manner. When appropriate, inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation is provided by the Miland E. Knapp Rehabilitation Center. About 70% of all patients at Knapp Rehab are there because they have had a brain injury due to trauma or stroke. The physicians, nurses and therapists are expert at caring for people who have sustained a brain injury. Knapp was the first rehabilitation center in Minnesota to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its Adult and Adolescent Inpatient Program with a specialty accreditation for Brain Injury Rehabilitation.
Outpatient Programs
Patients are seen in the HCMC outpatient TBI programs after hospital discharge or by referral from another hospital or clinic. Patients can also self refer. The Mild to Moderate TBI Outpatient Program sees patients ages 13 and older. The Pediatric Clinic sees patients 12 and younger.
TBI Prevention
The only "cure" for brain injury is prevention. The TBI Center and the HCMC Trauma Services Department host many community events focusing on brain injury prevention. The "Brain Bar" can be seen at local sporting and community events.