Neurorehabilitation Center Need

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has seen tremendous growth in its outpatient programs overall.  There are several reasons for this.  Certainly, changing reimbursement patterns promote limited inpatient stays to stabilize a patient’s medical condition followed by more cost-efficient outpatient services to facilitate maximum recovery. 

In the area of neurorehabilitation, one of the most significant reasons for an increase in patients is the better diagnosis and recognition of concussion as a very real brain injury.  While classified as a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, there are a number of individuals for whom symptoms can last for weeks, months or even up to a year or more.  Symptoms including headaches, dizziness, fatigue, irritability, anxiety, loss of concentration and memory, and noise and light sensitivity dramatically impact a person’s ability to function at school, at work or with one’s family.

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital treats thousands of individuals each year on an outpatient basis.  Many of these patients are referred to Bryn Mawr Rehab by their primary care physicians or surgeon for physical therapy following orthopedic injury or surgery.  Often, a standard course of treatment provided by a physical therapist with extensive experience will result in the patient having a smooth transition back into a pre-injury or pre-surgery level of function and activity.

For those who have experienced a neurological event, the path is not always as straightforward.  For many patients, specifically those who have experienced a stroke or brain injury, an outpatient course of therapy is prescribed by their physician after an inpatient stay at a community hospital or at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.  Multiple services are required by these patients, and over a sometimes long period of time, to ensure the greatest possible level of recovery.

Despite advances in the treatment of stroke and brain injury in an inpatient setting, many patients leave the hospital or rehab hospital with residual cognitive and sensorimotor impairments.  They need help in regaining function to return to their activities of daily life.

For other patients with neurological impairments, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital is often seen as a place of last resort.  Our clinicians report that patients sometimes relate long periods of time seeking help for symptoms relating to vestibular or balance disorders, or concussion, with little success.  Primary care physicians may prescribe diagnostic tests, or indicate that symptoms may resolve over time.  A referral is made to a neurologist if symptoms don’t improve.  Unfortunately the wait to see a neurologist may be longer than desired, which can mean additional stress on a patient whose symptoms include cognitive, memory, visual and balance impairments as well as depression until a referral is made to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital.

No matter what path brings a patient to Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, patients with neurological conditions require a multiple services. The evidence supporting the need for such services is well established. At Bryn Mawr Rehab, patients are given the opportunity to enhance their current abilities while addressing their limitations through intensive practice. Patient-centered care provided within meaningful and challenging activities promotes recovery towards personal goals and enhances patient satisfaction.  Interdisciplinary evidence-based care provided by physical, occupational and speech therapists, physicians, neuro-opthamologists, neuropsycholoigists, psychologists and case managers in a synergistic manner has proven to be an effective mechanism for increased outcomes, quality and cost-effectiveness.

Every outpatient in our neurorehabilitation program is first assessed using both technological tools and the expert assessment of our clinicians.  This extensive assessment determines the underlying deficits and nervous system involvement.  With that information, the treatment team develops a comprehensive and individualized treatment program to address the specific cognitive, behavioral, physical and emotional difficulties that an individual is facing.  The main focus of all treatment is to help patients recover function, develop strategies to compensate for deficits and manage stress and their own life changes. 

Intensive therapy as early as possible after illness or injury maximizes the return of function.  For this reason, Bryn Mawr Rehab provides individual and group therapies throughout a structured day to assist patients in acquiring and building on functional skills.

It is not uncommon for a patient to receive 20-30 treatment sessions over the course of their recovery, which may be over a number of months.  Of course, the individualized nature of each treatment plan means patients’ experiences vary widely.

Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital recognizes the complex scheduling needs of patients who present with complex neurological conditions and require multiple services.  Fatigue issues (cognitive and physical) are considered in the daily scheduling of therapies.  Further, some therapies may be discontinued during the course of treatment when specific goals are met while other therapies continue.

As the number of outpatients requiring neurorehabilitation has continued to grow over time, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital has outgrown its Day Treatment space which is where treatment was primarily provided.  Currently, a patient might have treatment sessions in as many as three different areas of the hospital in a given day.  This is not convenient for the patients, and can pose a challenge given the physical and cognitive impairments being treated, especially early in recovery.

Join us in our life-enhancing work by investing in the state-of-the-art Comprehensive Outpatient Neurorehabilitation Center.