title: Development of a traumatic brain injury model system within the Department of Veterans Affairs Polytrauma System of Care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2008, the Department of Veterans Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers partnered with the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to establish a Model Systems program of research that would closely emulate the civilian Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Model Systems Centers Program established in 1987.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the development of a TBI Model Systems program within the Department of Veterans Affairs Polytrauma System of Care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Enrollment criteria and data collection/data quality efforts for the newly established Department of Veterans Affairs sites are reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant progress has been made in the establishment of a Model Systems program for the Polytrauma System of Care. Data collection has moved forward and program-specific modifications have been implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Veterans Affairs TBI Model System program is established and growing, with many projects underway and a strong working relationship with the civilian TBI Model System programs.
authors.affiliation: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Lamberty); Neuropsychology Section/MHBS (Dr Nakase-Richardson), Polytrauma/Psychology Service (Dr McGarity), James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida; Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia (Drs Farrell-Carnahan and Cifu); Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services, Lebanon VAMC, Lebanon, Pennsylvania (Mr Bidelspach); and Research Department, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado (Dr Harrison-Felix).
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lamberty
authors.forename: Risa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nakase-Richardson
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farrell-Carnahan
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGarity
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bidelspach
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harrison-Felix
authors.forename: David X
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Cifu
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003625:Data Collection; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans