ABI Lunch & Learn Series

This session reviews foundational information about brain injury such as:

• Common causes of ABI
• Possible impacts of ABI
• Introduction to strategies to best support individuals living with brain injury
• Where to learn more about ABI

It is meant for care providers who are new to ABI and is also a good refresher for experienced clinicians.

Slides: Click on the attachment

Recording: Press here!

Discover how to easily access best practice guidelines, clinical care guides and practical information on assessment and intervention for stroke, moderate-severe acquired brain injury, and concussion. 

Become familiar with patient education pamphlets.

Learn about community resources available to individuals living with ABI. 

Slides: Click on the attachment

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/10-23-ABI-Lunch-and-Learn

• Key behaviour changes secondary to executive dysfunction
• Emotional outcomes
• Coping as healthcare providers
• Additional considerations/precautions for prescribing in the context of ABI
• Brief overview of recommended medications for various ABI-related symptoms

Overview of the Strategies:
•Frontloading
•Pacing
•Sleep Hygiene
•Distraction, re-direction
•Avoid triggers
•Use positive momentum
•Debrief

Very common after ABI

• Traumatic, Tumours, Blood Clots, Strokes, Seizures, Toxic Exposures, Infections, Metabolic Disorders, Anoxia
• Effects are cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioural, sensory

Tips from a Speech Language Pathologist for how to communicate with adults who have had acquired brain injuries.

An overview of ABI programs and patient education resources within Nova Scotia Health and how to find them.

The goal is to reduce work disability and assist clients in returning to
meaningful roles (Work and Academics) (Escorpizo et al., 2011)

Overview:

- Importance of Nutrition Post ABI

- Role of Dietitian for ABI

- ABI Deficits Impacting Nutrition Status

• Nutrition & Fatigue Management
• Symptoms & Barriers to Healthy Eating

- Heart Healthy Diet Recommendations

• Risk Factor Management
• Foods & Supplements for ABI Recovery

This session will review how this is explored through involvement with Therapeutic Recreation professionals.

Recording: Press here!

Recording: Press here!

Overview:

- What is VCI and what causes it?
- What is the relevance of VCI to my practice?
- What are some approaches for assessment and management of VCI?

Recording: Press here!

Recording: Press here!

Peter’s Place provides physical and cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI).

Recording: Press here!

Recording: Press here!

Recording: Press here!

Recording: Press here. 

This session reviews:

• the clinical manifestation of spasticity and the importance of early identification of post stroke spascticity
• the incidence, prevalence and risk of spasticity in post-stroke patients
• the role of botulinum toxin type A in improving patient outcomes, including supporting real world evidence
• which patients should be treated for post-stroke spasticity, and why

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/10-25-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Slide deck: attached below. 

Slides: Click attachment below. 

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/11-22-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Additional Resources:

For Primary Health Care Providers:

Diagnosing and Managing Concussion Tool for Primary Care Providers

https://cep.health/clinical-products/concussion/

Nova Scotia Health Resources:

Concussion Awareness and Concussion Management Card: https://braininjuryns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Digital-Concussion-Cards.pdf

Concussion Management- Patient and Family Guide: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/nshealth.ca/files/patientinformation/0395.pdf

Concussion Education Session flyer: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/default/files/documents/pamphlets/2013.pdf

 Introduction to Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (BIANS) Resources:

https://braininjuryns.com/concussion/

Concussion Café: https://braininjuryns.com/survivor-programs/

Concussion Tools for Self -Management:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion Handbook- Sunnybrook Health Sciences

Webform:  https://sunnybrook.ca/content/?page=bsp-brain-injury-education

Printable pdf: https://sunnybrook.ca/uploads/1/programs/brain-sciences/concussion/mild-traumatic-brain-injury-concussion--your-guide-to-recovery_web_oct-25.pdf

My Guide: Concussion – Vancouver Coastal Health: https://concussion.vch.ca/

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/01-24-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Additional Resources:

Waiting Room Revolution podcast by Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Sammy Winemaker

https://www.waitingroomrevolution.com

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/02-28-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/04-03-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

A review of stroke recovery and upper extremity (U/E) prognosis, screening the U/E, setting functional goals, and intervention strategies for the low level/ early stages of recovery post stroke.   

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/04-24-Management-Of-Early-Low-Level-Arm-Post-Stroke

Additional Resources:

Strokengine: http://strokengine.ca

Canadian Stroke Best Practices http://www.strokebestpractices.ca/

EBRSR: http://www.ebrsr.com/

Viatherapy: http:/www.viatherapy.org 

UE toolkit: http://www.wrha.mb.ca/staff/occupational-therapy/files/Stroke-UEToolkit.pdf

Description: Nova Scotia has the highest prevalence of intimate partner violence against women among all Canadian provinces. This violence has serious health consequences, including injury, chronic pain, and mental health problems. ABI is a common but under-diagnosed health consequence of domestic violence. The Interprovincial Violence Against Women (IPV) Project aims to identify and mobilize knowledge around best practices

for preventing and responding to violence against women (VAW) across Canadian provinces.

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/06-26-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Review of:

• Organization of outpatient stroke care in Nova Scotia
• Triage and initial diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and non-disabling strokes
• Management, including secondary prevention of TIAs and minor stroke

Slides: attached

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2024/11-27-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn