Clinical Relevance for the Veteran

Purpose of the Work. While medicine typically proceeds in a sequential fashion based on primary symptoms, sometimes relying on a parallel, mechanism-of-injurybased approach is advantageous, particularly when the mechanism of injury is associated with a variety of known sequelae. This article describes an example of a mechanism-of-injury-based program, namely, a Blast Injury Program at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Case examples illustrate the use of this approach with regard to more comprehensive assessment and treatment, as well as the possibility for secondary prevention. Subjects and Procedures. Four case illustrations are presented, designed to demonstrate the use of the mechanism-of-injury-based approach to assessment and treatment. Results. Discussion focuses on possible advantages conferred in these patient cases with regard to comprehensive care and the possibility for secondary prevention. Relevance to the Veteran Population. Blastrelated injuries have increased substantially in modern warfare. A mechanism-of-injury approach to assessment and treatment is arguably more efficient and efficacious in such cases. The case examples illustrate the improved quality of care given to our veterans with this approach. Heather G. Belanger, PhD