Wearable Telehealth for Trauma Care Delivery in Disadvantaged Populations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.4 million people suffer from TBI each year in the United States and about 50,000 people die from the injury. Estimates of the number of people who have survived a TBI range from 2.5 million to 6.5 million. Variability of TBI severity is equally as broad, with mild cases of TBI often unreported. The causes of TBI vary and may result from unintentional or intentional accidents such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, gunshot wounds, sports injuries, Shaken Baby Syndrome, child abuse, military actions, large-scale catastrophes, or other traumatic events. Patients may acquire brain injuries (ABI) from a health condition such as: tumors, blood clots, strokes, seizures, infections, metabolic disorders, lack of oxygen to the brain, or other causes. Despite the cause, managing the care of the TBI patient is typically complex and may involve emergency care, hospitalization(s), acute and post acute rehabilitation, and long-term medical care from multiple providers over an extended period of time. Effective care to TBI patients requires having rapid access to comprehensive health information. Several technology innovations—the electronic personal health record (ePHR), Brain Injury Navigator (BIN), Electronic Care Coordinator (ECC), and wearable augmented reality (AR) are four innovations discussed in this session that offer potential to enhance TBI care.