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About Us
St. Joseph Medical Center's Rehabilitation Unit work
in cooperation with our clients, helping them overcome a variety
of disabilities. Everyday we strive to help people reach their optimal
level of independence so they can return to their families, friends,
jobs and leisure activities.
The Team Approach
Rehabilitation care at St. Joseph Medical Center is a team concept. As with
any successful team, a good leader is top priority. Our team leader
is the physiatrist, which is a physician who specializes in physical
and rehab medicine.
However, the most important player on our team is
the patient. At St. Joseph Medical Center, we make sure patients are always
directly involved with daily decisions about their rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation process begins as the interdisciplinary
team identifies the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs
of the patient following disability. This procedure assists in developing
an individualized plan of care which will assure the patient attains
the highest possible level of independence.
Skilled Rehabilitation Team Members
St. Joseph Medical Center's Rehabilitation Unit use an interdisciplinary approach emphasizing
continuous interaction among the following disciplines:
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Medical Care
- Rehabilitation Nursing
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech/Language and Swallowing Therapy
- Social Services/Case Management
- Psychology
- Dietary Services
Consulting services include the following:
- Audiology
- Chaplaincy
- Dentistry
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Laboratory Services
- Medical Consulting
- Pharmacy Prosthetics/Orthotics
- Psychiatry
- Respiratory Therapy
- Neuropsychology
- Enterostomal Therapy
- Vocational Rehabilitation
- Driver's Training
- Pain Management
Admission Criteria
The majority of rehabilitation clients are treated for one or more
of the following diagnoses. Other diagnostic categories are considered
on an individual basis.
- Stroke (CVA)
- Spinal cord injury
- Congenital deformities
- Amputation
- Major multiple trauma
- Hip fracture
- Brain injury
- Burns
- Polyarthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and possibly joint
replacements resulting from arthritic conditions
- Neurologic disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson's disease
- Polyneuropathy
Programs and Services
St. Joseph Medical Center's Rehabilitation Unit offers a comprehensive array
of programs and services. These programs and services are custom-designed
to meet the patient's needs in the following areas:
- Medical Management
A board certified physiatrist monitors the patient's health, evaluates
the patient's physical capabilities and leads the team of nurses
and therapists in developing and carrying out the patient's specialized
treatment program.
- Mobility and Strength
Special treatment programs are individualized to restore and maximize
functional mobility by improving the quality of muscle tone, coordination,
strength, endurance and joint flexibility.
- Activities of Daily Living
Treatment focuses on preventing, lessening or overcoming disabilities.
Such skills as dressing, bathing, grooming and eating are relearned
and practiced daily.
- Communication and Cognition
Individualized treatment programs focus on restoring functional
speech, receptive/expressive language, memory and problem-solving
skills, as well as establishing the use of alternative communication
systems when appropriate.
- Eating and Swallowing
Specialized intervention includes modifying diets, providing adaptive
utensils, establishing proper positioning and teaching safe swallowing
strategies.
- Community Reintegration
Community outings provide patients with the opportunity to leave
the controlled environment of the hospital and practice skills
that enable successful community reintegration.
- Case Management
A case manager works with the patient from the time of initial
assessment through discharge, serving as a liaison to provide
effective communication between the patient, families, payors,
staff and others.
- Emotional and Behavioral Issues
A clinical psychologist is available to help and promote the well-being
of those patients who need assistance understanding and adjusting
to their disability.
- Education
Education is an integral part of the rehabilitation process. Through
education and hands-on training, the rehabilitation program provides
both patient and caregiver with the knowledge they need to better
manage the patient's care upon discharge.
St. Joseph Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
The mission of JCAHO is to improve the quality of care provided
to the public. Standards are set to evaluate actual performance
of the institution, not just the capacity of performance.
For more information about St. Joseph Medical Center's Rehabilitation
Unit, please call 816-943-2552.
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