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THE REHABILITATION TEAM---EVERY COMPONENT IS VITAL
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1. 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. Many
of our physicians are also board certified in SCI.
They provide daily medical care and are trained to
diagnose and manage the medical problems associated
with spinal cord injuries. |
2. Primary
Nursing
Primary nursing means that a registered nurse is
assigned to each patient on admission to the
rehabilitation unit and maintains a close
relationship with the patient and family until
discharge. These highly skilled nurses are
responsible for developing a nursing care plan to
meet the unique physical and emotional needs of the
patient, and ensuring continuity of care by other
nursing staff and other therapists. |
3. Physical Therapy
Physical therapists provide the patient with a
thorough evaluation and an individualized treatment
program to increase strength and mobility, relieve
pain, and restore function. They work closely with
the patient, family and other rehabilitation team
members to help the patient achieve the maximum
level of independence. |
4. Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists design programs to help
patients achieve maximal independence in their daily
living activities. Services may include helping
patients achieve independence in self-care
(dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating), home
management activities, parenting, functional
communication, recreation and community activities.
Treatment sites may include bedside, the
Occupational Therapy clinic, the community and when
indicated, the patient's home, school or worksite. |
5. Social Work
The goal of the social worker is to prepare
patients psychologically and emotionally for
returning to their home communities following
inpatient rehabilitation. Social workers provide
supportive counseling to assist patients and
families in coping with their injuries and
disabilities. They also facilitate plans for
discharge, coordinating the needs of the patient
with families, rehabilitation team, and insurance
representatives. Social workers assist with early
identification and referral to community resources.
These resources may include housing, transportation,
support groups, or financial assistance. |
6. 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 the team, U-M
patients can explore the latest technology and
discover which applications can improve the quality
of their lives. Rehabilitation engineers evaluate
and recommend commercially available equipment,
design, create and specially configure hardware and
software to meet individual needs for home, school,
work and community. The U-M SCI program is one of
the few programs nationally that have full-time
rehabilitation engineers on staff. |
7. Rehabilitation Psychology
Our rehabilitation psychologists are diplomats
of the American Board of Professional Psychology and
fellows of the American Psychological Association.
They assist persons with spinal cord injuries with
coping and adjustment issues. The psychologist's
role is to provide a supportive environment in which
patients can focus on regaining self-direction and
independence. To do this, psychologists address
emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of
adjustment and prepare persons with SCI for their
return to home and community. |
8. Therapeutic Recreation
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS)
will conduct an assessment of a patient's previous
leisure lifestyle to determine leisure needs,
abilities and interests. The CTRS will work with the
patient, family/caregivers and other rehabilitation
team members to design and implement an
individualized treatment plan. Therapeutic
Recreation services promote independence in leisure
lifestyle activities by improving patients'
physical, cognitive, emotional and social skills.
Activities are designed to assist patients with
recovery and to cope with life changes. |
9. 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 the patient be
ventilator dependent, have a tracheostomy tube or
otherwise be unable to communicate. Speech-Language
Pathologists provide family and patient education to
facilitate maximal benefit from therapy and optimal
independence with communication and swallowing. |
10. Independent Living
Trauma or injury create new and challenging
accessibility and mobility considerations. An
Independent Living Specialist works with the
individual and family/caregiver to begin the process
of re-entry into the community. The focus of
Independent Living Services is to create
opportunities for each person 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. |
