The rehabilitation services offered at Memorial Hospital include both inpatient and outpatient services. Services are provided to children, adults, and our geriatric community members. All services are provided by an interdisciplinary team which may include any or all of the following disciplines based on our patient’s need: physiatrist, nursing and/or certified rehabilitation nurses, occupational and physical therapists, speech/language pathologists, recreation therapist, social workers, neuropsychologists, and other health care personnel based on specific patient needs.

The following programs are available at Memorial Hospital.

Medical/Surgical Program
The medical/surgical team provides service in cancer care, intensive care, burn and wound care, as well as to the majority of other nursing units in the Hospital. The team meets daily to discuss patient status and to coordinate services and schedules. At least weekly, the team meets with one of our physiatrists to discuss patient care issues and discharge options as related to the continuum of care. Team members also consult with discharge planners and home care coordinators to ensure that proper equipment and follow-up is arranged to provide a safe and practical home environment for the patient.

Medical/surgical therapists work with the patient to increase strength, mobility, and range of motion; improve endurance for functional tasks; enhance balance and safety during movement; facilitate healing of open wounds; prevent the occurence of deformity due to prolonged bed rest; improve oral motor skills, swallowing and communication; and increase independence in daily living skills. Additionally, education is provided to the patient and family to ensure safe mobility, daily living skills, safe swallowing skills and communication following discharge.

Inpatient Orthopaedic Program
The clinical staff in this program provides services to patients who have suffered fractures, trauma, joint replacement, spinal dysfunction, and spinal surgery. Patients are initially treated in the satellite gym on the eighth floor orthopaedic unit, thus offering easy access to nursing staff and families. Should recovery be slow or the need for complete independence great, a transfer to the inpatient rehabilitation unit may be arranged. Discharge from the eighth floor orthopaedic unit is coordinated with the discharge planners/home care coordinators to assure a safe and comfortable discharge.

Electrodiagnostic Services
These diagnostic procedures are available to both inpatients and outpatients. The procedures determine the proper functioning of a nerve (EMG and Nerve Conduction Velocity tests); evaluate seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, stroke, infections of the central nervous system, degenerative disorders, head trauma, headaches, and brain tumors (Electroencephalogram); evaluate the function of the optic nerve (Visual Evoked Potential); or evaluate the auditory nervous system (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response). The results of the diagnostic procedures are interpreted by a physician, and a report is sent to the referring physician who will then use the information to coordinate further treatment.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program
Inpatient rehabilitation focuses on a broad range of diagnoses ranging from neurological dysfunctions such as strokes, head trauma, and spinal cord injuries to orthopaedic dysfunctions such as arthritis and trauma. The goal of treatment on the rehabilitation unit is "the physical restoration of a sick or disabled person by therapeutic measures and re-education to participation in the activities of a normal life within the limitations of his/her physical disability" (Gove, 1971).

The interdisciplinary team meets weekly to coordinate care and to tailor the rehabilitation program to the specific needs of the patient and his or her family. The patient and family are expected to be intricately involved in the rehabilitation program. Education is aimed at facilitating independent function and management of the residual disability. Education is a key component. Families are encouraged to accompany their family member to therapy where individualized education takes place. Family conferences are also planned to maximize the opportunities for learning and to promote a smooth discharge for the patient and family.

Pediatric Program at the Children's Therapy Center
The Pediatric Program provides services on an inpatient and outpatient basis, in the local schools, and on a limited in-home basis. Children with special health care or developmental needs require the specialized services provided by our highly trained staff. Our staff is experienced in treating a variety of both chronic and acute pediatric conditions, such as:

High-risk infants
Failure-to-thrive infants and children
Congenital anomaly/deformities
Cerebral palsy
Neuromuscular/dystrophic diseases
Attention Deficit Disorder
Developmental delays
Post-surgical conditions
Stroke
Orthopaedic conditions
Motor vehicle accident victims
Traumatic brain injury
Oncology
Cardiac conditions
Ventilator dependent children

We treat children from birth to 14 years, working closely with families to provide education and training to enhance their involvement in the continual rehabilitation of the child.

Wound Care Program
The Wound Care Program provides services on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Clients receive state-of-the-art wound care from physical therapists specifically trained to treat open wounds caused by trauma, circulation problems, infection, burns, diabetes and other diseases. Trained experts work together with physicians and their clients to find the best treatment options and develop the best possible plan of care