The University of Nebraska Medical Center invites people with brain
injuries and their families to complete a survey to identify the kinds
of services available to them as well as any gaps in services.
The statewide survey, which has been conducted by the Nebraska Traumatic
Brain Injury Advisory Board and the Nebraska Department of Education in
25 sites across the state, is available Oct. 10 at UNMC. To fill out a
survey, visit the Nebraska Health System University Hospital private dining
rooms A and C between 4 and 9 p.m. The hospital is located on the UNMC
campus, 45nd & Emile.
Accommodations will be available at the site to help individuals fill
out their surveys. Children over the age of 12 who either have a brain
injury or are a family member are encouraged to participate.
A $112,500 federal grant, which includes a state funds match of $37,500,
will use the survey information to look at the quality and availability
of services for people with an acquired or traumatic brain injury.
“We already know that there is an estimated 26,000 Nebraskans with head
injuries and that their needs are significant and lifelong,” said Sharon
Auld, a federal grant team member.
She urges survivors and family members — grandparents, parents, spouses,
siblings and close friends — to take the time to complete the survey.
“The information on this survey is critical to meeting the existing and
changing, lifelong needs of individuals with brain injuries,” she said.
Lyal Leibrock, M.D., professor of surgery at UNMC and a member of the
Nebraska Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board, agrees. “It’s very important
that we know more about the types of resources and support services available
in our state.”
Individuals should allow at least one hour to complete the survey questions
related to medical, educational, employment, housing and financial needs.
There are two different surveys available — one specific for the brain
injury victim and another one for family members.
For purposes of the survey, a brain injury is being defined as: Any
individual who has suffered 1) a brain injury related to trauma ranging
from a concussion to a severe brain injury, 2) a stroke, and/or 3) a cerebral
hemorrhage or hematoma secondary to trauma or a vascular abnormality. Individuals
are eligible whether these brain injuries are temporary or permanent and
whether or not they underwent any neurosurgical intervention.
Other survey meetings have been scheduled across the state since September.
The last survey sites include: Oct. 9 at Charles Drew Health Center, 2915
Grant St., second floor; and Oct. 12 at Immanuel Rehabilitation Center,
Holling Center for Continuing Education, Deaconess Room F&G, 6901 North
72 St. At a later date, a separate survey will be distributed seeking feedback
from health-care professionals.
Facts about brain injury:
· An estimated 26,000 Nebraskans are affected by a head injury.
· Every three hours, another person in Nebraska is affected
by a brain injury.
· Cancer is diagnosed every 13 minutes, while a traumatic brain
injury occurs every 15 seconds in the U.S.
· The three leading causes of traumatic brain injury are motor
vehicle crashes, violence — mostly from firearms, and falls particularly
among the elderly.
· Men are at twice the risk for a traumatic brain injury as
women. The risk is higher in adolescents, young adults and people older
than 75 years.
· According to estimates, hospital and fatal injury costs in
the U.S. related to traumatic brain injury exceed $48 billion annually.
Source: The National Center for Injury Prevention & Control and
the Brain Injury Association USA.