AFMC: A CLOSER LOOK AT QUALITY
assist in funding for services that are
needed but not affordable for some
individuals living with a TBI.
Grant funds are also used for outreach
to identify and contact TBI survivors
to assess individual needs, help
connect them to local resources and
provide follow-up care and guidance.
Many TBI survivors, caregivers
and family members are unaware of
available resources. In May 2019, a
series of four regional Brain Injury
Regional Workshops was launched to
take resources into rural areas where
many TBI survivors live. In Arkansas,
73 of the state’s 75 counties have
medically underserved communities.
One regional workshop featured
TBI survivor Crystal Payne, who
shared her recovery journey. Payne
said, “Sometimes we are given
challenges in life that we just don’t
understand, but you have to give
it 100% to defeat that challenge
so you can help someone else get
through their challenges.” While
relating her story, she was reunited
with the flight paramedic who had
responded to her accident scene. 9
The workshops engage a diversity of
speakers and offer an opportunity
to visit with resource representatives
while networking with others in the
TBI community.
J.P. French, director of strategic
accounts for Rave Smart 911,
says, “The brain injury regional
workshops are the most rewarding
on a personal level. I talk to survivors
and caregivers about Smart 911
services, and I can see in their faces
that (it) will expedite assistance
when they need it most.” When an
emergency call is received from
a TBI survivor, Smart 911 equips
first responders with injury-related
information that can assist their
delivery of emergent care.
Stakeholders who participate in
the regional workshops include the
Social Security Administration, ICan
(Assistive Technology), Smart 911,
Independent Living Services, Arkansas
Department of Human Services
ombudsman program, Canine Companions
for Independence, Arkansas
Rehabilitation Services, Arkansas
Disabilities Rights and others. More
workshops are planned for fall 2020
if group meetings are permitted by
then. A forum was also held with representatives
from the Provider-Led
Arkansas Shared Savings Entity
(PASSE) system to discuss the impact
of TBIs and scarcity of services for
this population.
The SPP grant has been invaluable
in realigning care for TBI survivors,
through increased access to
resources, bonding within the TBI
community and follow-up care.
One key aspect of follow-up care is
access to a 24/7 nurse-staffed call
center. The call center gives survivors,
caregivers, family and providers
access to nurses for the immediate
triage of needs. The call center
extends an unprecedented level of
individualized outreach to survivors
and providers.
UAMS’ IDHI has increased
telehealth opportunities for survivors
and providers across Arkansas. It
has increased access to other health
care professionals who can assist
with the evaluation, diagnosis and
treatment of TBI patients, especially
those in underserved areas. UAMS’
Learn On Demand 10 web portal
offers educational opportunities
for health care providers who
serve the TBI population.
Strengthening the statewide TBI
infrastructure will continue by studying
other states’ TBI services and integrating
needed services into Arkansas’
TBI system. There has never been
greater awareness in Arkansas about
the needs of TBI survivors, and there
have never been more resources to
help survivors attain independence
and quality of life. �
Ms. Imus is clinical director, IDHI Go
Live Team at UAMS. Ms. Lamb works
with the TBI State Partnership Program
at IDHI, UAMS.
REFERENCES
1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
retrieved 5-11-20 from https://www.
cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.
2. Defining severe traumatic brain injury
readmission rates and reasons in a rural
state. 8-6-18. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open,
http://tsaco.bmj.com/content/3/1/e000186
3. Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion https://
www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.
html
4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
retrieved 5-11-20, https://www.cdc.
gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html.
5. Your Arkansas Trauma System. Nov.
2012. http://www.nphic.org/Content/
Awards/2013/Print/ANNR-IH-AR-Your_Arkansa.pdf
6. 2010 Arkansas Code. Title 20 – Public Health
and Welfare, Subtitle 2, Health and Safety,
Chapter 14 – Individuals with Disabilities,
Subchapter 7 – Head Injuries. Statute 20-14-
703 Central registry reports. https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2010/title-20/subtitle-2/chapter-14/subchapter-7/20-14-703/
7. Retrieved 5-11-20, https://www.biausa.org/
brain-injury/about-brain-injury/nbiic/whatis-the-difference-between-an-acquiredbrain-injury-and-a-traumatic-brain-injury)
8. TBI State Partnership Program in Arkansas.
https://idhi.uams.edu/programs/trauma-telemedicine-programs/tbi-state-partnership-program/
9. Crystal Payne’s recovery journey at: https://
idhi.uams.edu/tbi-survivor-story-repository-video/
10. LearnOnDemand https://www.cdc.gov/
traumaticbraininjury/index.html
AFMC WORKS COLLABORATIVELY WITH PROVIDERS,
COMMUNITY GROUPS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO
PROMOTE THE QUALITY OF CARE IN ARKANSAS THROUGH
EDUCATION AND EVALUATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT AFMC QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS,
CALL 1-877-375-5700 OR VISIT AFMC.ORG.
AUGUST 2020
Volume 117 • Number 2 august 2020 • 37