Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program

2005 ‘OUTCOMES MANAGEMENT REPORT’ HIGHLIGHTS

Patient Population
Since the inception of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Unit a few years ago, more than 5000 patients have been treated in our program. Of the 258 inpatients discharged during the year 2005, the average age was 59 years, 54% were female, 46% were male and 55% were discharged to home. Patients were admitted from various settings including acute hospital, community, and restorative care facilities. Most patients fell within five diagnostic categories: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke, MS, Non-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Neurological diagnosis. (See graph)



Measuring Functional Improvement
The Brain Injury Unit strives to provide rehabilitation services that will help our patients function more independently when they return home. The chart below summarizes the improvement in our patients’ level of functioning in four different diagnostic categories for the period January – December 2002 based on the Functional Independent Measurement FIM™. The FIM™ is a nationally recognized standard used by the rehab team to rate 18 activities encompassing mobility, self care, and speech / cognition. The FIM™ score is the total of the ratings of these 18 items. The higher the score, the more independently the individual is able to function. The changes in the FIM™ scores between admission and discharge show that, as a result of inpatient treatment, patients in specific diagnostic categories show higher overall levels of independence in functioning at discharge (see graph).



Patient Family Participation
At admission each patient and / or family member identifies goals they wish to achieve during their time in rehabilitation. For the year 2005, more than 92% of patient / family self stated goals were met. Upon discharge patients/family are also asked to complete a Consumer Satisfaction Survey. This survey addresses four areas of care, orientation to services, goals setting, communication with rehabilitation team, and goal achievement. The chart shows the percent of positive responses to the four critical questions for each of the seven disciplines (see graph).



The total number of patient satisfaction questionnaires returned for the four quarters of 2005 was 24. This represents 9.3% of the patients discharged during this same period. The graph shows the percent of positive responses to the four critical questions for each of the seven disciplines. The only category falling below 80% was the question relating to goal setting with Nursing. In deliberations with the nursing team concerning this question, it was suggested that while a plan of care, which is discussed with each patient at admission is, in actuality, goal setting, some patients may not understand the two as being the same. The last question regarding goal achievements reflects patients’ satisfaction at discharge. The percent of positive responses to this question ranged from 86% to 96%. It should also be noted that there were just 2% negative responses when taking into account the total number of responses to all questions for all disciplines (12 out of 589). Our main concern for evaluating patient satisfaction remains the relatively low rate of return.


Below are just a few of the many positive comments we have received:
“Words could never be enough to tell you how we feel about you. You have been special to us. You are hard working and dedicated.”

“You gave our mom a reason to keep trying and a hope of continued success.”

“You made sure that we took advantage of family training so that we could know how to safely handle her when she gets home.”

“The group meeting and your gentle way of informing us of mom’s medical and physical situation will always be remembered.”

“We feel gratitude so great to have had the pleasure of your acquaintance and your service.”

“Many thanks to the team of therapists and social workers who were instrumental in helping me achieve a speedy recovery.”

“I am truly grateful and thought your department should know how kind, skilled and thorough your therapists were.”

“Your job is like no other. You see the most vulnerable side of every patient. Each of you cared for mom as if she were your own.”

“You guys are amazing everything you do. I am lucky to have chosen such a wonderful facility for my father.”

“I feel I’ve made so many friends in such a short amount of time under terrible circumstances. Thank you.”


We have developed a reputation for consistently successful outcomes for the hundreds of people who have put their trust in us. Our experienced and dedicated team of professionals include:

Neurologists
Neuropsychologists
Physical Therapists
Speech/Language Pathologists
Recreation Therapists
Social Workers
Rehabilitation Nurses
Dietitians
Consulting Physicians as needed

We realize that each patient’s injury and life situation are unique. As such, patients’ goals are incorporated into an individualized treatment program that is continually modified as recovery proceeds.
The active participation of family and friends is encouraged. Along with family/caregiver education, training and support, patients receive individual and group treatment to enhance:

Health
Mobility
Activities of Everyday Life
Functional Communications
Thinking Skills Including Reasoning, Problem Solving and Memory
Emotional and Behavioral Control
Leisure/Recreation

HJD is not-for-profit organization accredited by the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the NY State Department of Health and is Diagnostic Related Groups (DRG) exempt. The Neurorehablitation Service has special certification from the State of New York as an Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program. HJD also has teaching affiliations with numerous academic institutions.

Staff
Joseph Herbert, M.D.
Medical Director, NYUHJD Brain Injury Program RUSK Institute at 17 Street, Associate Professor of Neurology,
NYU School of Medicine

Maria Cristina Tafurt MA, OTR/L
Clinical Director
Rehabilitation Services RUSK Institute at 17 Street

To Make a Referral

Patients must be medically stable but can be admitted with tracheostomy, catheter, feeding tube, intravenous lines, orthopaedic needs, and decubitus.

To make a referral call:
John Devon,
Director of RUSK Patient Outreach/ Admisssions
Phone: (212) 263-6034
Tanisha Rowe
Rehab Admissions Manager
Phone: (212) 598-6265
An assessment is performed within 24 hours of referral and a clinical decision within 48 hours of referral.