Rehabilitation Care of Combat Related TBI: Veterans Health Administration Polytrauma System of Care

The U.S. Veterans Health Administration established the Polytrauma System of Care (PSC) in response to the growing need for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and polytrauma rehabilitation services for our returning war heroes. The unique and complex patterns of injuries sustained during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in significant physical, cognitive, and psychological impairments which require an extraordinary level of specialized training and skill provided by the PSC interdisciplinary team. The PSC offers a holistic, coordinated, and comprehensive continuum of polytrauma/brain injury rehabilitation. These services range from intensive inpatient rehabilitation to residential and outpatient programs designed to address all facets of combat injury. These services are available to Veterans and service members across the nation and have been involved in the direct care of tens of thousands of combat injured personnel. This article provides an overview of services and new initiatives created by the PSC to provide the best care for our Veterans and service members.