One of my focuses is on traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is often missed in the acute phase, but the condition can well be debilitating. Basically the brain is compressed by the shock-wave of a blast; something goes "boom", a blast overpressure wave develops and is immediately followed by underpressure prior to equilibration at normal atmospheric pressure.
Internal organs are not protected from the effects, so when brain tissue is in the way, this event causes rupture of cells, bleeding in brain tissue and brain damage. This is not always diagnosed in the acute setting, especially if there are other obvious injuries. And if a soldier is medevac'd for other injuries, his chances of not being diagnosed increase. Strangers don't know what is normal for the patients' personality and behavior.
With MC4, serial neurological exams and patient notes are readily available throughout the evacuation chain, and more importantly providers can get in touch with one another if they have questions.
It's a great system.
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