Spinal Cord What to Expect

No two spinal cord injuries are alike...

Each spinal cord injury is significantly different and requires different treatment methods of rehabilitation. There are several levels of spinal cord injuries. Multiple life changes come with every spinal cord injury. In order to improve the quality of life for spinal cord injury patients, RHI offers the most comprehensive individualized care to every patient that comes through our doors.

What should I look for in a spinal cord injury rehabilitation?

A program that is CARF accredited in Spinal Cord Injury
A program with an interdisciplinary team focused on a common goal: YOUR recovery
A program with a perspective of care dedicated to preparing for the moment you leave acute inpatient rehabilitation
A program that is flexible and takes caregivers into consideration
A program that provides patients and their caregivers with an ongoing support system
A program with a team driven by a spirit of hope, healing, and compassion

What else can my caregivers and I expect at RHI?

Our goal is for patients in our spinal cord injury program to regain as much independence as possible.

Caregiver involvement from day one is key to patient success.
Caregivers should schedule time to attend therapy sessions.
Caregivers attending therapy should come ready to learn and willing to participate.
Caregivers should be prepared that some tasks may pose challenges for both caregiver and their loved one.
Caregivers should encourage their loved one to act as independently as possible.
Caregivers should not plan to stay overnight at RHI; caregivers need their rest, too.

What should I expect when I arrive to RHI?

Your first day at RHI will be light to allow you to transition and get settled.

Nurse will greet you when you arrive
Head-to-toe assessment by your nurse
A visit with your physician is possible depending upon your arrival time

Meet your care coordinator
Comprehensive evaluations by the treatment team
Meet your therapists who will each assess your abilities and set goals
Meet with a clinical dietician
Meet with a wound care specialist (if needed)

Your therapist team will include:

An occupational therapist
A physical therapist
A speech therapist (if needed)
A therapeutic recreation specialist (if needed)

What is the daily routine for spinal cord injury patients?

We simulate a real day so you can return to a daily routine. Here is a sample day for an RHI patient.

PATIENT DAILY ROUTINE

6:00AM - 7:00AM

Wake up and get dressed with assistance

7:30AM - 8:30AM

Breakfast and socialize in the program common area (not in patient rooms)

8:30AM - 11:30PM

Morning therapy sessions*

11:30PM - 12:30PM

Lunch and socialize in the program common area

1:00PM - 4:30PM

Afternoon therapy sessions*

4:30PM - 6:00PM

Dinner and socialize in the program common area

6:00PM - 9:00PM

Relax, socialize, and bathe

9:00PM - 10:00PM

Get ready for bed

*Patients receive a minimum of three hours of individual 1:1 therapy, 5 days per week

The Spinal Cord Injury Program at RHI Includes:

INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH TO INDIVIDUALIZED THERAPY

The interdisciplinary team is comprised of a physiatrist, rehabilitation psychologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapists, specialized spinal cord program nurses, case manager, and respiratory therapist (if needed).
A weekly team conference is scheduled with your physician and the interdisciplinary rehabilitation team to discuss and document your progress in each area of rehabilitation.
Your case manager will provide you and your caregivers updates from the team conference. If you need for a caregiver conference, your case manager will coordinate this for you and your caregivers.

RESEARCH-DRIVEN CARE

Cutting-edge research conducted at RHI
Therapy based on proven treatments
Ongoing physician and therapy education based on RHI research studies

INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT EDUCATION

Patient education is based on individual level of injury.
Patients learn to become as independent as possible for their injury or illness.
Patients learn to explain and describe what they need and self-advocate for help from others when needed.
Caregivers learn alongside patients about patient needs and care.

WHEELCHAIR SEATING AND POSITIONING CLINIC

Full-time wheelchair technician with Advanced Technical Proficiency (ATP) certification for selecting wheelchair and determining proper positioning
Wheelchair follow-up clinic to ensure precision, strength, and effectiveness
Specialty-trained team members: physicians, physical therapists, & occupational therapists in wheelchair seating and positioning as an ongoing evaluation process
Coordinated wheelchair consultations with vendors to identify the best recommendations for each patient

COMPREHENSIVE RESOURCES

Transition Binder - Upon admission you will receive a Transition Binder which will include information pertinent to your rehabilitation program. Throughout the course of your hospital stay, additional information and resource materials specific to your rehabilitation recovery will be added to the binder.
Yes You Can Manual - This manual for patients and their caregivers covers a variety of topics that therapists will discuss with them and will address in their therapy programs.