SPINAL CORD INJURY REHAB TEAM
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is a process. It consists of an acute inpatient hospitalization which concentrates on education and basic skills, a comprehensive outpatient program which focuses on advanced skills and community reintegration, and lastly vocational rehabilitation for return to work and school activities. You are the most important member of the SCI Rehab Team. If you have any questions or problems, do not hesitate to talk with the other members of your team. They exist for one reason- to help you succeed and reach your optimum level of wellness and independence.
There may be times that other professional staff become involved in your rehab process. TEAM AND FAMILY CONFERENCES The Initial Team Conference is held 7 - 10 days following your admission. The purpose of this conference is to discuss the results of your pre-admission evaluation and screening and your proposed rehabilitation program. A tentative discharge date is set and goals are established. Interdisciplinary Conferences are held a minimum of once every two weeks during your hospital stay. These conferences allow discussion of your progress, revision of goals, and change in the projec- ted discharge date. Informal communication also occurs among members of your rehab team. The Discharge Conference is held prior to your discharge from the hospital. The purpose of this conference is to review the results of your rehab program and ensure that comprehensive discharge planning and implementation have occurred. Family Conferences - The first is held after the initial evaluation to discuss concerns, as well as short- and long-term goals, and to begin discharge planning. After the initial family conference, family meetings will be held as needed. There will be a formal family discharge meeting. Patients and families are encouraged to use these conferences to inform the team of their expectations of the rehabilitation program. PATIENT AND FAMILY COMMUNICATION - Team members will communicate to you and your family your diagnosis and functional limitations; the results and responses of your current treatment; recommendations, if necessary, for future placement in other programs; and issues important to you and your family. Rehab involves an interchange between you as a team member, your family, and the community to help you attain your optimum level of wellness.
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(M.D.)
- The Physiatrist is a physician who is a specialist in physical medicine
and rehabilitation. The physiatrist is the Team Leader who directs your care.
(RN)
- Your Nurse is also a very important person. She/he will take care of
you and educate you and your family so that you will be as independent as
possible. The concept of independence is very important for you and your
family to understand, as nursing care is based on this goal. Your nurse will
encourage you to do as much for yourself as possible - and then some! Your
nurse will also follow through with your other therapists' recommendations
for your care.
(OT)
- The Occupational Therapist provides a wide variety of services based
on your needs. Some are these services are: 
The
Physical Therapist is often thought of as a specialist in ambulation
or independent movement. Although ambulation may not be an unrealistic goal, your
physical therapist can help you meet other functional, short-term goals as well, such as: 
The
Speech Therapist is available if clinically necessary. Your physician
will determine whether or not you will need speech therapy.
The
Recreational Therapist will focus on leisure activities, hobbies, and
crafts that integrate goals and functional tasks begun in other therapies.
An integral part of therapeutic recreation is the community re-entry program,
which consists of outings into the community, movies, shopping malls, etc.
These outings provide an opportunity for you to apply techniques learned
during therapy sessions and reach your maximum level of independence in the
"real world." Family members are invited and encouraged to participate in
the community re-entry program.
The
Psychology Department provides services to you and members of your family
who are learning to cope with the effects of your disability. When illness
or trauma causes changes in levels of function and lifestyles, support and
positive motivation are crucial to a successful adjustment by you and your
family. You may meet with a member of the psychology department several times
a week, in individual or group sessions. Services provided by the psychology
department include: 
The
Discharge Planner, which may be a social worker or case manager, is a vital member of your rehabilitation team. She/he will
assist you with many aspects of your care, such as preparing and implementing
your discharge plan, arranging meetings with you and your family, arranging
a schedule for family observation and training days, working with other
interdisciplinary team members, and working with your insurance carrier to
communicate the rehab team's short and long term goals. Your case manager
will also arrange any equipment and/or home modifications that may be necessary.