Medical City Healthcare | Take Care | Fall 2018

A patrol sergeant for the Corinth Police Depart- ment is grateful to be back on the beat after unex- pected brain surgery following a fall. “I worked out the night before and got up feel- ing light-headed,” Officer Chris Tepfer said. “As I walked into the bathroom, I passed out, fell and hit my head on the floor.” Chris’s wife discovered her husband and called 911 immediately. The Aubrey Fire Department rushed him to Medical City Denton. Time is brain “There is something called the golden hour in neuro- surgery,” said Akwasi Boah, MD, the neurosurgeon who treated Chris at Medical City Denton. “If you can get to a neurological emergency in the first hour fol- lowing a brain injury, you can make quite a difference.” As the only Level II Trauma Center in Denton County, Medical City Denton has a neurosurgeon available at all times. A brain scan showed that Chris had an epidural hematoma—bleeding that occurs between the outer membrane covering the brain and the skull. The condition can result from a head injury, such as a fall, and is a life-threatening emergency. Trauma expertise in such a case is crucial. Because Chris was taken to a hospital that offers the highest levels of emergency clinical care, the only evidence of his brain surgery today is the scar from the 49 staples used to close his head injury. Chris said he is grateful to have no permanent damage, to be back on patrol and to be able to enjoy life with his wife and two children. “I feel like it was the best care—bar none—that I could possibly have received,” said Chris. “Dr. Boah is just a rock star. He’s very professional, very informative and very supportive. My recovery has been great!” Back on the beat after brain surgery Brain & spine DIRE EMERGENCY Watch a video about Officer Chris Tepfer’s experience at MedicalCityHealthcare.com/TakeCare . KNOW WHERE TO GO It’s important to know the location and level of care available at the ER closest to your home. To find expert care in any medical emergency, go to MedicalCityER.com . 3 MedicalCityHealthcare.com