As a physician, therapist, counselor, case manager, facility manager, or just a family member – knowing if a person has experienced a traumatic brain injury is crucial to how to provide help and guidance. HELPS TBI Screening Tool, can provide some additional assistance:
HELPS is an acronym for:
H = Have you ever Hit your Head or been Hit on the Head?
E = Were you ever seen in the Emergency room, hospital, or by a doctor because of a head injury?
L = Did you Lose consciousness? (Not everyone who suffers a TBI loses consciousness)
P = Are you having cognitive or social Problems in your daily life? (List provided on screener)
S = Did you experience a significant Sickness following your head injury?
A HELPS screening is considered positive for a possible TBI when the following three items are identified:
- An event that could have caused a brain injury (yes to H, E or S), and
- A period of loss of consciousness or altered consciousness after the injury or another indication that the injury was severe (yes to L or E), and
- The presence of two or more chronic problems listed under P that were not present before the injury.
- If an individual has been considered positive for a possible TBI, then they need to be referred to a medical provider for a diagnostic evaluation.
You can print out a HELPS Screening Questionnaire/Form here. (PDF)
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