Understanding Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation
At the 18-bed Brain Injury Recovery Center (BIRC) at Penn Rehab, we help patients after they have been discharged from acute care, but before they are ready to return home. Our Brain Injury Recovery Center patients come from all walks of life and have experienced variety of conditions.
Everyday we call attention to strategies to help prevent brain injury, advocate for the rights of those living with brain injury, and honor those who have traveled the long road to recovery following brain injury. As a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, I’ve walked that road with my patients, and believe me, it is a long one.
At Penn Rehab, therapists make a big effort to get to the core of who that person is and we try to let that come through no matter what. If we can let that shine through and design interventions around what the core of that person is, then we can bring them back even when they have limitations once their inner self has emerged. Coaching is being able to see the big picture when the player doesn’t always.
Through inpatient rehabilitation, people who have experienced a brain injury work alongside an entire team dedicated to helping them regain their independence so that they can return home and go back to doing the things they love.
Our patients are beginning to respond to their environments and are on the road to recovery from conditions such as:
Concussion Contusion Complicated Stroke Cerebral Hemorrhage Traumatic Brain Injury Spontaneous Hemorrhage Brain Tumor Anoxic Encephalopathy
From the staff providing around-the-clock care on the unit, to the equipment used with patients, to the layout of the unit, the BIRC is designed to meet the unique cognitive, behavioral, medical, and mobility needs of patients following brain injury. The staff come from a variety of disciplines, including: Case Management, Dietary, Neuropsychology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pastoral Care, Physical Therapy, Certified Brain Injury Specialists, Recreational Therapy, Rehabilitation Medicine, and Speech Language Pathology.
Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS) are clinical professionals that are certified by The Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS). Certification as a Brain Injury Specialist provides recognition of an individual's advanced training and work experience in brain injury services. The completion of the certification process demonstrates the clinician’s commitment to learn about brain injury rehabilitation and to maintain that knowledge through continuing education. CBIS certification is obtained voluntary, which shows the commitment of our staff who are dedicated to providing improved quality of care for persons with brain injuries.
Our advanced brain injury recovery center features an 18-bed secured unit designed for safety, with all-private, therapeutically-oriented rooms. The unit has a quiet treatment and dining area where patients can support one another in a shared space. To maximize the effectiveness of each therapy session, there are two separate therapy gyms—one of which is designated as a quiet space to allow patients with attention difficulties to focus on their therapy with minimal distractions.
The therapy team empowers people through education to provide a safe way to take part in their everyday life. Through learning tools to provide safer movement with the help of their therapist, patients can look forward to maintaining active, fulfilling lives. At Penn Rehab, when we work with patients, we create individualized plans that take into account the whole person: their body, any medical conditions, their day-to-day activities, their living or work spaces, their support network, and of course their personal goals.
Everyone, including the patients and their families, work together as a team with one goal in mind: helping the patients achieve their goals and reach their highest potential. The team designs a unique treatment plan for each patient that is tailored to that person’s history, current impairments, support system, and personal goals. At the Brain Injury Recovery Center at Penn Rehab, survivors of brain injury inspire us daily with their determination, hard work, and resiliency.
If you or a loved one would like to learn more about the resources offered through our Brain Injury Recovery Center at Penn Rehab, call 877-969-7342 or click here to read more information on our website.
About the Blogger:
Anne Whiting, PT, DPT, CBIS, GCS, received her Master of Physical Therapy degree from Boston University in 2004, Master of Social Work degree from Temple University in 2010, and clinical Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in 2014. Her clinical expertise is in treatment of neurological conditions, including stroke, brain injury, and Parkinson's Disease. She became a Certified Brain Injury Specialist in 2014, and is also a certified geriatric clinical specialist (GSC), certified LSVT BIG therapist and PWR! Therapist. Anne manages the student clinical education program at Penn Rehab and mentors staff at Penn Rehab's Brain Injury Rehab Center. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association.