Pittsburgh-based UPMC announced a partnership with several organizations in Ireland to create a countrywide network for the diagnosis and treatment of concussions June 21.
Here are three things to know:
1. UPMC, in partnership with the Dublin-based Bon Secours Health System, diagnostic imaging services company Affidea and medical device company ImPACT Applications, created the UPMC Concussion Network, which will provide Affidea locations with access to Bon Secours physicians specially trained in targeted, individualized concussion care.
2. The approach, available at eight Affidea locations across Ireland, uses ImPACT's 20-minute baseline test to measure patients' neurocognitive functions. In the event of a suspected concussion, patients repeat the test and the results are compared to their pre-incident results to determine the severity and effects of the injury. Physicians are being trained according to UPMC's concussion protocols.
3. Micky Collins, PhD, executive and clinical director of the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, will oversee clinicians' training and quality measures.