Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury

The JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute offers inpatient and outpatient treatment, unique support services, and cutting edge technology and techniques to maximize recovery.

Located adjacent to JFK Medical Center, our spinal cord patients have around the clock access to comprehensive and extensive medical and behavioral services. The interdisciplinary team will work with you to maximize your recovery as you move through the stages of recovery. Our expert rehabilitation specialists are highly skilled in treating all aspects of Spinal Cord Injury and associated complications such as skin integrity, spasticity, bowel and bladder issues, autonomic dysreflexia, and musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain issues. We assist patients with maintaining and strengthening muscle function, redevelop fine motor skills and teach adaptive techniques to accomplish tasks. By embracing a shared goal, we join our patients in meeting their individual goals – returning to a favorite hobby, participating in social or fitness activities, or going back to school or work.

Scope of Services

Population Served

Individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury (SCI), complete or incomplete, below the level of C5, who do not require ventilator support. The etiology can be traumatic or non-traumatic, with or without co-morbid conditions. If the SCI was attributed to a tumor, the individual cannot be receiving concurrent chemotherapy during the inpatient admission.

Settings

Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation unit, or Outpatient program.

Hours of Service

• Inpatient unit – 24 hour/7 day per week nursing care, and physician availability. 3 hours a day/5 days a week of Physical/Occupational and/or Speech Therapy.
• Social Workers are available Monday-Friday 9 am-5:30 pm, and for 4 hours on Saturday
• Rehabilitation Nursing available on the inpatient unit 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
• Rehabilitation Physician services available on the inpatient unit 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
• Outpatient Therapy – Monday through Friday: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Days of Services

• Inpatient unit – Services are available Sunday-Saturday, 365 days a year.
• Outpatient Therapy – Monday-Friday

Frequency of Services

• Inpatient unit – Physical, Occupational, and/or Speech therapy 5 days per week, for a combined total of 3 hours per day.
• Outpatient Therapy – Physical and Occupational Therapy individualized based on physician prescription, although most patients are scheduled for 2-3 visits per week, for 30-60 minute sessions.
• Rehabilitation Nursing provides services continuously throughout the day.
• Rehabilitation Physician’s generally see each patient at a minimum of once daily.
• Social Workers schedule visits with patients and family members based on individual need.

The following services are available as needed on the inpatient unit, on an individualized schedule: recreation therapy, rehabilitation psychology, medical consultations, nutrition counseling.

Payer and funding Sources/ Referral Sources:

Patients in these programs are referred from hospital and physician providers throughout the following areas: HMH network; local, regional, statewide, national, and international facilities and providers. Payers include both government sponsored (Medicare, Medicaid), as well as third party payers, including commercial insurances, workers’ compensation, motor vehicle insurance, and private/self pay. All insurances are verified for coverage prior to the initiation of services.

Fees:

All insurances are verified for coverage prior to the initiation of services. Any out of pocket expenses or fees would be discussed with the patient/patient’s representative prior to admission into the program.

Specific Services offered: (all services provided directly unless specified)

Medical/physiological sequelae include

Services to address: Abnormal tone, autonomic dysfunction, bladder function, body composition, bowel function, circulation, dysphagia, fertility (referred to specialist), infection management, medication, men’s health issues, musculoskeletal complications, neurological changes, nutrition, pain, respiration, sexual function (provided directly and/or referred to specialist), skin integrity, women’s health issues.

Functional services include

Activities of daily living, assistive technology (provided directly and/or referred to specialist), behavior, cognition, communication, community integration, driving, durable medical equipment, emergency preparedness, environmental modifications, leisure and recreation, mobility, occupation, orthoses, personal care assistants (referrals made in conjunction with patient’s interests), prostheses, seating.

Psychosocial services includes

Adjustment to disability, behavioral health, substance use, family/support system counseling, peer support services, sexual adjustment.

Education and training:

are provided for the person served, families/support systems, the community, and the professional community.

Research capability

The ability to learn about current research, and ability to participate

Transitions across the lifespan – education and training provided by all tem members on transitions through the lifespan based on areas of expertise.

Case management

available through the rehabilitation social worker and rehabilitation physician

Resource Management

assistance available through rehabilitation social work

Follow-up-  physician and therapy follow up services are recommended and/or provided directly

Health promotion and wellness

Education and training on introduction to health promotion and wellness available during inpatient stay and outpatient treatments; referrals to local activities available

Independent living and community integration

Provided through interactions with all team members

Prevention related to potential risks and secondary health conditions due to impairments, activity limitations, participation restrictions, and the environment provided through interactions with all team members

Safety for persons served in the environments in which they participate

Provided through interactions with all team members, and direct referrals to local community services

Comprehensive Spinal Cord Services

• Board-certified rehabilitation medicine physicians with specialized training and expertise in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Inpatient rehabilitation program providing intensive therapies and 24-hour rehabilitation nursing care
• Outpatient rehabilitation program providing one-on-one care
• Specialized areas also include Spasticity Management, Pain Management and Orthotic Evaluation (custom braces)
• Wheelchair and seating assessment/prescription by a team of experts, including rehabilitation medicine physicians, occupational therapists, and representative from a wheelchair company
• Driver Training Program conducted by Occupational Therapists (Certified Driver Training Specialists) to evaluate and assess for the ability to return to driving
• JFK for Life Health & Fitness Center offering medically based and supervised fitness programs at the completion of rehabilitation.

Dedicated to the Highest Quality

Our interdisciplinary team uses evidence-based best practices to deploy proven interventions for patients that help to prevent pressure ulcers, as well as enhance the healing process of existing wounds. As a result, our acquired pressure ulcer rate is consistently below national rates, and our healing rate for existing pressure ulcers is 96%. We also utilize the JFK Center for Wound Healing for appropriate patients in their treatment plan, offering the specialized services to evaluate and treat chronic, non-healing wounds.