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Concussion Assessment Clinic

Concussion Assessment Clinic

Outpatient Therapy operates a specialty clinic to provide comprehensive evaluation of mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs), commonly known as concussions. A concussion is the result of a blow to the head, face or body that may or may not result in a loss of consciousness. Concussion can occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident, sports injury, workplace injury, trip and fall or a variety of other common activities. Most concussions will resolve on their own in 7-14 days with rest and limited physical activity, but when symptoms persist and in-depth concussion expertise is needed, primary care physicians refer patients to Madonna Outpatient Therapy for an interdisciplinary evaluation and treatment. Our experienced clinical teams provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment plans for pediatric and adult patients at our Main Campus in Lincoln and Omaha clinic. Patients are evaluated by a team which may involve the following healthcare professionals:

Physiatrists

A physiatrist is a physician with extensive training in physical medicine and rehabilitation. With this assessment, a physiatrist can determine the cause of lingering symptoms, help guide the treatment time and evaluate the need for medications or other interventions as identified.

Physical Therapists

Our physical therapists (PTs), who have a strong background in neurological rehabilitation, will evaluate mobility impairments, aerobic deconditioning, balance, and strength needs to help get patients back to daily activities.

Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) will help to assess cognitive changes and work on activities of daily living, such as cooking, grooming, and driving. Work re-entry programming may also be indicated if patients experience challenges with resuming occupational duties.

Speech Language Pathologists

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can evaluate and treat cognitive-communication impairments, which may include compensatory training. In addition, they can evaluate swallowing or voice impairments from prolonged intubation. They will also address respiratory strength and coordination.

Neuropsychologists

Neuropsychologists are experts in mental processes. They can address deficits in attention, memory, and reasoning as well as other cognitive skills. They can also assess any mood changes and determine if counseling may be appropriate when coping with the many effects of this disease process.

Outpatient Nurses

Our nursing staff will help pre-screen for additional referral needs or add-on services, while also providing medical support and serving as a coordinator or liaison with our physicians.

Social Workers

The OP social worker will help to coordinate the team with monthly meetings as well as outreach to payers. The social worker can also provide support and resources to patients and families.

Respiratory Therapists

The respiratory therapy team can provide consultation on residual breathing deficits. Most commonly, they will collaborate with our SLPs on respiratory strength and coordination.

Spiritual Care

Madonna recognizes that well-being goes beyond physical status. We can provide spiritual support with our compassionate pastoral care team. Whether it is one-on-one interactions or participating in a support group, our experts are here to help you heal.

Concussion Assessment Clinic Features

Overview

While most concussions resolve within a few weeks, sometimes symptoms linger long after the initial injury. Our interdisciplinary team, including neuropsychologists, can help determine an individualized approach for each patient.

Physical Therapy

Manual therapy by a physical therapist with specialized training in brain injuries can help patients with lingering pain and other symptoms.

Speech Therapy

After a mild traumatic brain injury, some patients have lingering issues with communication, which may include trouble sequencing or following multi-step instructions. Speech language pathologists can help.

Occupational Therapy

Many of Madonna’s occupational therapists have additional training in vision rehabilitation. Double vision, dizziness or other vision struggles can remain after a concussion. OT also helps to address a variety of other cognitive and memory issues that may arise from concussions.