Brain Injury and Rehabilitation
There are different types of hospitals, rehabilitation programs and health care professionals to become familiar with during the brain injury recovery process. The rehabilitation process is different with every sustained brain injury. How well a person does following a brain injury depends upon the individual’s health prior to the injury, the nature of the injury and the post-injury course of recovery. Rehabilitation programs following a brain injury should be adaptive to each individual’s needs.
A comprehensive Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation consists of at least the following elements:
1. The rehabilitation physician (physiatrist) and the rehabilitation nurse have special training in diagnosing and treating people with disabilities. The goal is to help patients who have suffered a brain injury to regain the most independent level of functioning possible.
2. The prevention of secondary injuries. Rehabilitation facilities and the rehabilitation process are in place to prevent these secondary injuries from occurring.
3. Rehabilitation builds upon natural recovery processes. This conditions the body, helping to regain strength and re-learn natural functions. Conditioning aids the speed of recovery.
4. An optimal environment for neurological recovery is also provided by rehabilitation settings.
Various techniques are taught to promote recovery and help with tasks of daily living. Adaptive and specialized equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers are available in this setting. Environmental modifications are available, including architectural and transportation interventions. Even more important may be interventions in the patient’s social environment, which include modifications at home, at work and in the community.
Most of the time, an emergency team will be the first to attend to the person with a brain injury. The brain injury care begins at the site of the emergency. After the brain injured person arrives at the hospital, he/she may be admitted to the intensive care unit. The injured person may be unconscious, in a coma or medically unstable at arrival. During this phase, the goal is for the injured person to achieve medical stability and to prevent a medical catastrophe. Medical professionals may need to attach specialized equipment to the patient in order to help sustain life.
The next step in the care continuum is acute rehabilitation. The transfer to an acute rehabilitation facility (or unit within the hospital) occurs when the brain injured patient is medically stable and has reached a point where he/she is able to participate in therapy. A team of health professionals assists persons with brain injury to achieve the highest level of independent skills used in activities of daily living.
Rehab team members include:
1. Physiatrist- Doctor of physical medicine rehabilitation. The physiatrist typically serves as leader of the rehabilitation treatment team. The physiatrist makes referrals for various therapies and medical specialists as needed. The physiatrist coordinates with the rehabilitation team, patient and family to develop the best possible course of treatment.
2. Physical Therapists- Therapists evaluate and treat a person’s ability to move the body. They focus on enhanced physical function, addressing muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, balance, and coordination. Physical therapists provide training with assistive devices such as canes or walkers. Physical therapists can also use physical modalities, including hot and cold packs, and water to assist with pain relief and muscle movement.
3. Occupational Therapists- Therapists who use purpose-driven activities as a means of preventing, reducing or overcoming physical and emotional challenges with the purpose of aiding the person with a brain injury to function independently.
4. Speech/Language Pathologists- Therapists who evaluate a person’s ability to express oneself (verbal, written or sign) and comprehend what is seen or heard. They use assistive technology as an alternative form of communication if the person is unable to verbalize. The speech/language pathologist focuses on the muscles in the face, mouth and throat and addresses swallowing issues.
5. Rehabilitation Nurses- Nurses who monitor all body systems by maintaining the person’s medical status. Nurses set goals to allow the person to reach maximum medical improvement. They assess the patient’s care and coordinate with physicians and team members to allow patients to become as independent as possible.
6. Case Managers/Social Workers- Responsible for assuring appropriate and cost-effective treatment and the facilitation of discharge planning. They maintain regular contact with the patient’s insurance carrier, family and referring physician to ensure treatment goals are understood and achieved.
7. Recreational Therapists- Therapists who provide activities to improve and enhance self-esteem, social skills, motor skills, coordination, endurance, cognitive skills, and leisure skills. They plan community activities that allow the injured person to directly apply learned skills in the community.
8. Neuropsychologists- Physiologists who focus on aiding the brain injured person to think, behave and to control his/her emotions. They provide services to reduce the impact of setbacks and to help the person return to a full, productive life. The neuropsychologist’s evaluations provide valuable information to assist with school, community or employment re-entry.
9. Aquatic Therapists- Occupational therapists, physical therapists or recreational therapists with specialized training to provide therapy in a heated water pool. Aquatic therapists assist a person to increase strength, coordination, endurance, muscle movements, and reduce pain, using water resistance. The ultimate goal is to increase the person’s functional ability for activities of daily living.
In some cases, it may be helpful to seek the guidance and advice of an attorney. If someone is brain injured by another person’s negligence or recklessness, the injured person has a legal right to hold that person responsible. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you make your case and collect the maximum possible financial compensation. The money can’t reverse a serious brain injury, but it can help victims get the care they need and live with dignity and independence. A personal injury attorney will work to recover compensation for damages. Compensation for damages often include lost wages and lost future wages, loss of enjoyment of life; mental anguish, pain, suffering, medical bills, and permanent disability.
If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury caused by the negligence or carelessness of another, contact Michael Todd Rebuck, P.A. today. We will provide you with a free evaluation and consultation.
