Department of Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers: Inpatient Rehabilitation Management of Combat-Related Polytrauma

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the signature injuries of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. To ensure that rehabilitation care needs of veterans and active duty servicemembers with TBI and polytrauma injuries were met, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) established the Polytrauma System of Care (PSC) in 2005. The 5 VA Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers provide tertiary, acute inpatient rehabilitation for the PSC. Interdisciplinary treatment teams of multiple rehabilitation disciplines provide the complex, patient-centered care to achieve maximum benefit. After discharge, veterans and servicemembers with TBI and polytrauma receive lifelong support and care through the PSC.