Recommended treatment often includes neuropsychological assessment, followed by a structured inpatient rehabilitation program of nursing as well as speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and therapeutic recreation. The program continues after discharge, with home care, outpatient therapy, and support for reintegration in the community. TBI support groups are available at the hospital.
Special features of the Spaulding TBI Program:
| • | Specialized Treatment Programs. Spaulding can meet the medical and rehabilitation needs of individuals with specialized and complex conditions. For these individuals, we develop and coordinate treatment programs tailored to their specific cases. |
| • | Neurotrauma Program Advocacy. The program team members work with schools or employers to formulate goals for patients as they return to their communities after the initial phase of rehabilitation. Our neurotrauma program advocate, a co-founder of the Brain Injury Association of America, facilitates communication across the TBI system and helps locate community resources for TBI patients. |
Spaulding has a specialized treatment program to treat children and adults with low levels of consciousness (Levels 2 or 3 on the Rancho Los Amigos Scale). A multidisciplinary team uses many stimuli to help each patient to improve alertness, body positioning, and muscle tone. Feeding and swallowing specialists help to ensure the patient receives adequate nutrition. As the patient's level of awareness increases, the treatment team develops a rehabilitation program to address physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional needs.
The unit has a controlled environment conducive to coma arousal. Staff is able to adjust auditory, visual, and tactile stimuli in response to the patient's changing needs.