SCI Rehabilitation Program
A Nationally Recognized Model Spinal Cord Injury Care System
The University of Michigan Health System Spinal Cord Injury
(SCI) Rehabilitation Program is recognized and funded by the
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) as one of only 14 Model Spinal Cord Injuries Systems in
In addition to clinical and research activities, the U-M
Model System hosts the SCI Lecture Series for clinicians and
researchers, publishes the bi-annual newsletter, SCI
access, and a Web site,
and offers annual conferences for consumers, professionals
and family members.
A World-famous Medical Center with the Latest in Medical Technology and a Network of Services
Three Important Strengths: Comprehensive Care, Continuity of Care and Patient Satisfaction
At the University of Michigan, you will be under the care of physicians who are specialists in comprehensive spinal cord injury management. You also will receive the immediate attention of a team of rehabilitation professionals, including primary care nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, dietitians, rehabilitation engineers, prosthetists and orthotists, social workers, rehabilitation psychologists, independent living specialists and recreational therapists.
Your rehabilitation team will get to know your individualized needs and those of your family. Because the U-M program is committed to maximizing continuity of care, SCI team members will be involved with you throughout your stay, maintaining regular contact after discharge into the community. We also will stay in close touch with you and your family members regarding your satisfaction with the care and answer any questions you have.
Rehabilitation and More: The University of Michigan Health System Network of Services
We are located in a tertiary-care, acute-care hospital, so all the resources you may need are nearby.
In addition to the team of rehabilitation experts who are part of the adult and pediatric spinal cord injury programs, other medical expertise you may require as your rehabilitation progresses is also readily available. This includes specialty services such as orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, urologic surgery, trauma surgery, anesthesiology, plastic surgery, internists, pulmonary medicine, vocational rehabilitation and other subspecialties.
Unique in the State
The U-M Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program is unique in Michigan. Federally funded since 1985, it is the only Spinal Cord Injury Model System in the upper Midwest region, and it provides patients with access to specialized programs.
Ventilator Program
U-M's program for ventilator-dependent patients is one of a few such programs in the country that provide the necessary equipment, training and staff expertise to care for individuals who are unable to breathe adequately for a prolonged period and who need physical rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation Engineering
U-M is the state of Michigan's only SCI program that has full-time rehabilitation engineers on staff who help apply the latest technological developments to maximize independence for people with disabilities.
Pediatric Rehabilitation
U-M is the only SCI program in the state that has specialized services for children with SCI. Schooling for pediatric patients can continue through the UMHS School Program.
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Partnership
U-M's strong partnership with the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL) offers opportunities for community re-entry and consultations by trained peer resource counselors (PRCs) who can serve as role models.
Positive Transitions Thanks to a Committed Local Community
Our program has strong ties with:
- The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority's Dial-A-Ride
minibus service for people with disabilities.
- The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (AACIL),
serving persons with disabilities who are still under
treatment at the U-M so that they may try out their new
daily living skills on their own. During your inpatient
stay, you may receive services from trained peer
resource consultants from the AACIL.
- Michigan Rehabilitation Services is the state agency for vocational rehabilitation of people with physical disabilities; it provides an experienced and highly qualified counselor on site in the hospital to facilitate early vocational rehabilitation planning.
"My
daughter was six months old when I was injured. One
of my goals in activities of daily living was
learning how to independently parent."Our Goal: Your Freedom and Wellness
Our aim is to inspire you to achieve the highest personal goals you desire. We strive to maximize your recovery and health to enable you to fully participate in the rehabilitation activities necessary for your goals. We do this by helping you to reach independent mobility and the optimal ability to care for yourself, and to rediscover the positive aspects of yourself, your family, your work and other parts of your life.
In summary:
- We involve both you and your family in
decision-making during rehabilitation.
- We introduce you to important community services,
such as the Independent Living Centers and Michigan Rehabilitation
Services.
- We provide you with peer support, independent living
skills training and educational/vocational
opportunities.
- We remain available to you for lifetime follow-up care -- from inpatient treatment, through ongoing vocational rehabilitation, to answering your questions over the phone after you leave the hospital.
The Rehabilitation Team -- Every
Component is Vital
Physician-directed Case Management
Board-certified physicians in Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, called "physiatrists," are attending
physicians and treatment team leaders for all patients in
the SCI Rehabilitation Program. They provide your daily
medical care and are trained to diagnose and manage the
medical problems associated with spinal cord injuries.
Several U-M physiatrists are also board certified in the
subspecialty of spinal cord injury medicine.
Primary Nursing
A registered nurse is assigned to you upon your
admission to the rehabilitation unit and maintains a close
relationship with you and your family until discharge. These
highly skilled nurses are responsible for developing a
nursing care plan to meet your unique physical and emotional
needs and for ensuring continuity of care by other nursing
staff and therapists.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists provide you with a thorough evaluation
and an individualized treatment program to increase strength
and mobility, relieve pain and restore function. They work
closely with you, your family and other rehabilitation team
members to help you achieve the maximum level of
independence.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists design programs to help you achieve
maximal independence in your daily living activities.
Services may include helping you achieve independence in
self-care (dressing, grooming, bathing and eating), home
management activities, parenting, functional communication,
recreation and community activities. Treatment sites may
include your bedside, the Occupational Therapy clinic, the
community and when necessary, your home, school or
work site.
Social Work
Our social workers will help you to prepare psychologically and emotionally for returning to your home
community following inpatient rehabilitation. Social workers
provide supportive counseling to assist you and your family
in coping with your injuries and disabilities. They also
facilitate plans for discharge, coordinating your needs with
your family's, your rehabilitation team's and your
insurance representative's. Social workers also assist with
early identification and referral to community resources.
These resources may include housing, transportation, support
groups or financial assistance.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Rehabilitation engineering is the application of technology
to increase the functional capabilities of people with
disability. With rehabilitation engineers as integral
members of your team, you can explore the latest technology
and discover which applications can improve the quality of
your life. Rehabilitation engineers evaluate and recommend
commercially available equipment; and design, create and
specially configure hardware and software to meet individual
needs for home, school, work and community. U-M SCIMS is one of the few programs nationally that has
full-time rehabilitation engineers on staff.
Rehabilitation Psychology
Our rehabilitation psychologists are diplomats of the
American Board of Professional Psychology and fellows of the
American Psychological Association. They assist people with
spinal cord injuries to cope and adjust. The
psychologist's role is to provide a supportive environment
in which you can focus on regaining self-direction and
independence. To do this, psychologists address the emotional,
cognitive and behavioral aspects of your adjustment and
prepare you for your return to home and community.
Therapeutic Recreation
Certified therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRS) conduct
assessments of your previous leisure lifestyle to determine
leisure needs, abilities and interests. Our CTRS will work
with you, your family/caregiver, and other rehabilitation
team members to design and implement your individualized
treatment plan. Therapeutic recreation services promote
independence in leisure lifestyle activities by improving
your physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills.
Activities are designed to assist you with recovery and
coping with your life changes.
Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists are available to provide
evaluation and treatment for voice difficulties and
dysphagia (swallowing impairment), with
cognitive-communicative intervention as needed. They offer
patient-tailored augmentative communication methods should
you be ventilator-dependent, have a tracheostomy tube or
otherwise be unable to communicate. Speech-language
pathologists help you achieve maximum benefit from therapy,
and optimal independence with communication and swallowing.
Independent Living
Trauma or injury creates new and challenging accessibility
and mobility considerations. An independent living
specialist works with you and your family/caregiver to begin
the process of re-entry into the community. The focus of
independent living services is to create opportunities for
you to make choices, participate in community life, make
decisions and take responsibility for actions. Staff from
the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living provide peer
support and co-lead classes with the independent living
specialist.
"I give credit to the people
at the University of Michigan for helping me get
back to work. Obviously they've been in the business
for a while."Discharge Planning
Discharge planning staff arrange for the services of
visiting nurses, if skilled nursing care is necessary, or
home health aides. They also set up in-home therapies,
including physical and occupational therapy. They facilitate
the ordering and delivery of durable medical equipment.
Discharge planning staff verify the patient's benefit
coverage for in-home and outpatient therapies and medical
equipment for the treatment team. Discharge planning staff
are also contacts for the case managers who may be assigned
to a patient by a benefits provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I be here?
The average length of stay in the Rehabilitation Unit for
persons with new spinal cord injuries varies according to
the severity and level of injury. A tentative discharge date
will be established within a week of your admission to the
rehabilitation unit and will be assessed at the weekly
multidisciplinary team conference. Average stays for those
admitted to the Rehabilitation Unit range from one week to
six weeks.
How much therapy will I receive?
The number and length of daily therapy sessions will depend
on your condition and treatment priorities, as determined by
the attending physician and rehabilitation team. A minimum
of three hours a day of therapy from Monday through Friday
and up to three hours during the weekend are offered.
Therapies are provided in one-on-one and group settings. The
treatment is individualized for you, and your attendance is essential to maximize recovery.
Can my family be part of this?
Families are encouraged to become involved as early as
possible with rehabilitation program activities. Your family
or friends are taught how to provide needed assistance and
how to encourage you in achieving maximum independence as
quickly as possible. They also can take advantage of the
hospital's convenient on-site hotel, Med Inn, during
rehabilitation hospitalization. After you are discharged
from inpatient care, Med-Inn can be a convenient place for
you to stay when involved in outpatient care. The number for
Med Inn is 1-800-544-8684.
How old are the other patients?
Our patients on the U-M 6A rehabilitation unit are over 18. Typically, more than half of our
patients are between 18 and 40 years of age. Generally,
patients under 18 are treated in the rehabilitation unit
of C. S. Mott Children's Hospital on the U-M Medical Center
campus.
Can I go back to school or to work?
More than 90 percent of our patients with new SCI are discharged to
home after comprehensive inpatient
rehabilitation. Every effort is made to assist you in your
return to a productive life, including employment,
homemaking and education. To assist with
the transition from home to the community, we make referrals to community
resources such as the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living and the
Michigan Department for Career Development.
Will there ever be a
cure for spinal cord injuries?
Currently, there are no proven cures for SCI, although many
people show some improvement of nerve function during the
first year after injury. However, innovative research
on nerve regeneration and cell transplantation is
growing. Active participation in rehabilitation activities
helps to maximize functional skills and avoid complications,
while waiting to benefit from future research. As one of 14 Model
Systems in the United States, U-M program staff are well aware of all new drug trials
and treatment protocols designed to find faster recovery for
those with SCI.
Please contact us! We invite you to visit and tour our inpatient and outpatient
facilities.
Inpatient program: 734-936-7059
Outpatient services: 734-936-7175
