Spinal Cord Injury & Related Disorders Day Treatment

The Spinal Cord Injury & Related Disorders Day Treatment Program (SCI/D) is an outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation program designed to provide intense therapy for patients who have had a spinal cord injury (SCI) or similar neurologic disorders.

SCI/D Program Overview

The SCI/D program focuses on managing ongoing medical needs with special attention towards home and community reintegration. The program treats people with spinal cord injury and related disorders, such as:

• Traumatic and non-traumatic injuries to the spinal cord (includes injuries related to accidents, surgical interventions, infections, spinal pathology)
• Autoimmune disorders (including Guillain-Barré Syndrome or Transverse Myelitis)
• Critical illness polyneuropathies and polymyopathies
• Multiple Sclerosis

The program is overseen by a medical director and the interdisciplinary team includes a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, psychologist and a nurse case manager. All clinicians are Brooks team members and have specialized training in spinal cord injuries.

Patients in the program will participate in a full-day of treatment for a maximum of five hours a day, five days a week for an average of 6-12 weeks.

Once enrolled, patients are evaluated and given a personalized treatment plan which can include one-on-one therapy sessions, group-based interventions and classes, education and specialized services to best address each patients’ individual goals and needs.

Patients can be referred to the program in a variety of ways:

• Inpatient rehabilitation hospital
• Outpatient therapist
• Primary care physician
• Home health agency
• Case manager

*Priority is given to patients being referred from an Inpatient Rehab Facility

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What to Expect From the Program

Daily exercises and therapeutic activities will promote neuromuscular recovery, independence in activities of daily living and pursuit of optimal health and well-being. Therapy is not just constricted to the gym. Regular community outings, driving evaluations/training and vocational rehabilitation/school re-entry services all help you adjust to this new way of life.

Activities with the Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation department and community outings to places like the airport, local restaurants, malls and grocery stores are frequently included in the day program.

Your therapy team and physician will be regularly discussing your outcomes, achievements and barriers. This allows the team to stay on top of medication management, new or ongoing health concerns, need for spasticity management, splinting and bracing, mobility and seating management, or any other needs that may arise.

Our Approach

We recognize that every individual is unique. Your treatment plan will be tailored to your needs and goals. Your specialized and experienced interdisciplinary team will use evidence-based practice and state of the art technology to help you maximize your potential.

There is a lot to learn after experiencing a spinal cord injury or other neurologic disorder, and being equipped with knowledge will empower you. The program has been developed to address home, social, cultural and community skills.

Your team will ensure that you and your caregivers are provided with the right education, training and tools to stay healthy and happy.

Returning Home

Discharge planning starts on day one. While you are participating in the program, you and your caregivers will have the opportunity to meet with your team to help identify your specific needs or barriers to returning home. Caregiver training and education is highly recommended and encouraged, and various training activities will be completed in the clinic as well as out in the community to ensure you are best prepared to return home.

Your team will help you determine the appropriate durable medical equipment, orthotics or braces, and home/car modifications to help you achieve your highest level of safety and independence. Vocational Rehab can also be coordinated if you may need modifications at your current job or need to pursue a different line of work due to your neurologic condition or SCI.

Paying for the SCI Program

Brooks understands that most insurance benefits offer very little therapy coverage, especially not enough for people to recover from a major neurologic injury.

Brooks has coveted per diem contracts with most major insurance companies and worker’s compensation companies. These contracts are a separate benefit from your hospital or outpatient coverage and allow you to spread out your therapy program over a longer period of time, thus further maximizing your potential.

For those individuals who do not have this insurance coverage, you are welcome to apply for financial assistance and your need will be based on your financial status. For Florida residents who have had a traumatic injury, funding may be possible through Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program (BSCIP).

Housing

Brooks serves patients from all over the United States and throughout the world. Being away from home is difficult and recovery is easier when you have a good support system and are living in a comfortable environment. For patients living outside the five Jacksonville counties, there is an opportunity to lodge at Helen’s House. Helen’s House is located down the street from the SCI/D program, and offers transportation via a wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus for you and your caregivers to get to and from the program.

Why Choose Brooks?

Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital has been one of the leaders in rehabilitation for 50 years and is accredited by the Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF). This specialty recognition includes our outpatient day treatment SCI program.

Over the years, Brooks has developed an extensive continuum of care that allows patients to seamlessly transition from inpatient rehab, day program, outpatient therapy, adaptive sports and recreation, community wellness, research, vocational rehab, driving evaluations and training and follow-up with our physician practice. Brooks guarantees that whoever you meet along the way, they are an experienced passionate professional with one job in mind, helping you become the best you can be.

In the SCI/D program, your team will perform various outcome assessments that will track your progress and help you to identify goals and areas to address within the program. These measures will encompass a wide variety of different areas including independence with functional mobility, transfers, activities of daily living, ability to walk, wheelchair skills, balance, strength, and many others.

Our SCI Rehabilitation Technology

Brooks prides itself on using the most up to date technology to help facilitate neurorecovery and maximize your progress. In the SCI/D program, your treatment sessions may include:

• Integrated Functional Electrical Stimulation (iFES) bike for legs, arms, or core
• Xcite FES
• Saebo Glove
• Zero G body weight support system (used for both overground walking and locomotor training on the treadmill)
• Cyberdyne
• Bioness BITS
• Neofect Smart Glove and Smart Board

Our SCI Program Scorecard

Demographic Information – Population Served

Functional Improvement as Measured by the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM)

Have Questions? Contact us!