Network Polytrauma Program

What is Polytrauma? Polytrauma is an injury to two or more physical regions or organs that can occur in combat veterans including active duty soldiers, National Guard troops and reservists. Polytrauma injuries include: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) Fractures Burns Skin or soft tissue injuries Spinal Cord Injury Hearing loss Visual impairments Amputations Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Recognizing Polytrauma The diagnosis of polytrauma may not always be obvious. Subtle signs of brain injury such as dizziness, irritability, confusion, memory loss, sleep disturbance, headaches should be watched for because they may be missed. This is why it is important to ask the veteran if they have ever been exposed to a blast injury or have a history of loss of consciousness. The Polytrauma Team The polytrauma team will assist you and your family with your rehabilitation to get you back to your home and community functioning at the highest level you are capable of attaining. The polytrauma team is experienced in treating veterans and will work with the veterans closest VA to ensure that he or she receives the care they need including the most advanced technology, prosthetics and rehabilitative therapies available to facilitate a successful return home. Here are the services the Polytrauma Team can provide to you: Case Management Rehabilitation Nursing Rehabilitation Physician Consultation Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech-Language Pathology Recreational Therapy/Creative Arts Neuropsychological Testing and Counseling Prosthetics/Orthotics Vocational Rehabilitation Chaplain Services Inpatient Rehabilitation Social Work Music Therapy For help or more information If you or a loved one are in need of this service please contact the Polytrauma Point of Contact at a VA Medical Center closest to you: Albany VA Barbara Bates, MD — (518) 626-5817 Bath VA Donna Andrews, OTR — (607) 664-4429 Buffalo VA Jong-Chaur Shieh, MD — (716) 862-8665 Canandaigua VA Brian Westlake, PT — (585) 393-7529 Nandini Joshi, MD Syracuse VA Heidi Kinnally, RN — (315) 425-6567 Bethany Ryan, LMSW Or contact your local Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) Point of Contact:

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