The I.E.D. (Injury/Evaluation/Distance) checklist can be used to assess a patient for a possible concussion.
Parameters:
(1) exposure to a potentially concussive event
(2) I.E.D. checklist, with evaluation having the mnemonic HEADS
Potentially concussive events include:
(1) vehicle blast event, collision or rollover
(2) presence within 50 meters of a blast
(3) direct blow to head OR witnessed loss of consciousness
(4) exposure to 2 or more blast events
|
Section |
Parameter |
Response |
Points |
|
injury |
physical damage present |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
evaluation |
headache and/or vomiting? (H) |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
|
ears ringing? (E) |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
|
amnesia, altered consciousness or loss of consciousness? (A) |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
|
double vision and/or dizziness (D) |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
|
something feels wrong or is not right? (S) |
no |
0 |
|
|
|
yes |
1 |
|
distance from blast |
|
no exposure |
0 |
|
|
> 50 meters |
no |
0 |
|
|
<= 50 meters |
yes |
1 |
HEADS subscore =
= SUM(point for the 5 evaluation items)
total IED score =
= SUM(points for all of the IED parameters)
Indications for referral for medical evaluation - one or both of the following:
(1) exposure to a potentially concussive event AND IED score >= 1
(2) HEADS subscore >= 1
where:
• Being within 50 meters of a blast would fulfill the first indication.
Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic, Emergency Medicine, Neurology
