Center
for Acute Rehabilitative Medicine
300 Highland Avenue
Hanover, PA 17331-2297
(717) 646-6868 tel
(717) 646-6867 fax
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CENTER FOR ACUTE REHABILITATIVE MEDICINE AT HANOVER HOSPITAL:
PATIENT & FAMILY GUIDE
[Hanover Hospital Facility Information] [Your Stay With Us] [Rehabilitation Team Members] [Preparing for Discharge] [Patient's Rights and Responsibilities]
REHABILITATION TEAM MEMBERS
Role of the Physician and Physiatrist
The physiatrist is a physician who is board certified in the field of physical
medicine and rehabilitation. The physiatrist is a key member of the rehabilitation
team who directs the care of the individual and the overall rehabilitation program.
Hanover Hospital also has staff physicians who are internists and work with
the medical aspects of the individual's care while they are inpatient. Once
the individual is discharged home, care of the individual is redirected to their
primary care physician. Periodic monitoring by the physiatrist may be needed
based on the individual's condition and need for further follow up.
Role of Psychologist
Psychologists possess a Ph.D. in psychology. Their role is to work with the
individual, family and entire rehabilitation team to assist with adjustment
difficulties and other psychological issues that can develop during the rehabilitation
process. Counseling and support are essential for the individual and family
during this time.
Role of Rehabilitation Nursing
Nurses are an integral part of the entire rehabilitation team. They often help
to facilitate the carry over of the rehabilitation program throughout the hospital
stay. In addition to daily bedside care, rehabilitation nurses work on ensuring
bowel and bladder continence, maintaining good skin care, ensuring healthy,
nutritional intake, medication management and reinforcing carryover of learned
skills. Education of the individual and family are vital to achieving a successful
return back home.
Role of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy
All physical therapists must graduate from an accredited physical therapy program
and pass a licensing examination. They are trained to work closely with other
members of the rehabilitation team to help the patient reach his or her goals.
Members of the physical therapy staff including rehabilitation assistants and
technicians, all focus on the individual reaching their potential. Upon admission,
a team evaluation is conducted to determine the person's ability to move his/her
arms and legs, balance, walking, sitting, standing, wheelchair mobility on even
and uneven surfaces. Strength, flexibility, coordination, sensation and function
are assessed. For injured workers, physical therapists can assess the injured
area and develop a physical conditioning program that will help return the worker
as quickly as possible working with the employer and/or case adjuster.
Once problem areas have been identified, a customized treatment program will be developed for that individual. The treatment plan will include short and long term goals designed to improve any of the following dependent upon the severity of the medical condition:
- Mobility training for the bed, wheelchair, supervised and independent walking
- Use of prosthetic or orthotic devices such as leg braces, walkers, wheelchairs
- Exercises to strengthen upper arms, hands and body positioning
- Education of the individual, his/her family members or caregivers as to their disability
- Teaching family members and caregivers on how to assist the individual
- Preparing the individual and caregiver for discharge
- Recommendations for home and/or work modifications
Physical therapy can be provided to persons of all ages with strokes, hip fractures,
traumatic brain injuries, cancer, children, amputees, spinal cord injuries,
arthritis, Parkinson's', aneurysms, burns, repetitive motion injury (carpal
tunnel syndrome), anoxia, knee or hip replacements, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre
syndrome, heart disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and a wide range
of other medical conditions.
Role of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy
All occupational therapists must graduate from an accredited program in occupational
therapy and pass a certification examination. Occupational therapists are trained
to work closely with other members of the rehabilitation team to help the patient
reach his or her goals. Members of the occupational therapy staff including
rehabilitation assistants and technicians all focus on the individual reaching
their potential. The evaluation assesses the individual's ability to complete
everyday functional activities called activities of daily living or ADLs. ADLs
consist of bathing, dressing, grooming, self-feeding, toileting, and homemaking
skills. In addition to assessing these skills, occupational therapists also
evaluate vision, balance, coordination, perceptual skills, and cognition.
For injured workers, occupational therapists can develop ergonomic assessments, assist in pre-employment screening, creation of modified return to work jobs, work conditioning and transitioning programs.
Once problem areas have been identified, the therapist will help the individual develop their abilities by focusing on a treatment plan designed to:
- Achieve maximum degree of independence in bathing, dressing, feeding and grooming
- Exercises to strengthen upper arms, hands and body positioning
- Determining the need for adaptive devices such as hand splints, use of grooming and other self care aids
- Homemaking skills based on individual's needs
- Money management based on individual's needs
- Cognitive skills and prevocational skills
- Driver training potential as indicated
- Job modifications
Occupational therapy can be provided to persons of all ages with strokes, hip
fractures, traumatic brain injuries, cancer, children, amputees, spinal cord
injuries, arthritis, Parkinson's', aneurysms, burns, repetitive motion injury
(carpal tunnel syndrome), anoxia, knee or hip replacements, multiple sclerosis,
Guillain-Barre syndrome, heart disease, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy,
and a wide range of other medical conditions.
Role of Speech-Language Pathologists and Speech Therapy
All speech-language pathologists must graduate from an accredited speech-language
pathology program and pass a national licensing examination. Speech-language
pathologists evaluate individuals with a wide-range of communication deficits
as a result of brain injuries, strokes, and other neurological disorders such
as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's', multiple sclerosis, and swallowing
disorders.
Speech pathologists work with persons of all ages to maximize communication skills in listening, reading, speaking, writing and gestures. Communication aids may also be recommended as appropriate.
Role of Social Workers
Social workers have received their master's degree in social work. Their role
is to assist with discharge planning back into the community. As part of the
team, they assist with linking the individual and caregiver/family with resources
such as home care, outpatient therapy, and transportation needs to provide for
a smoother transition back into the community.
Role of Case Managers
Case managers at the Center for Acute Rehabilitative Medicine are nurses who
work as part of the team and assist with ensuring cost effectiveness and appropriateness
of hospitalization. This includes insurance authorizations, working with concerned
parties regarding utilization of services and treatment goals.
Role of Dieticians
Dieticians receive their bachelor's degree in nutrition and/or dietetics. As
part of the team, the dietician educates the individual, caregiver/family member
on nutritional needs based on the health, dietary habits, restrictions and diseases
that are present.