Inpatient Rehabilitation at The Children's Hospital

The inpatient rehabilitation team responds to the multiple and complex medical and physical needs of rehabilitation patients. This program offers comprehensive treatment in the acute phase of an illness or injury in the inpatient setting. Treatment starts as early as a patient's intensive care stay and continues on the inpatient rehabilitation unit. Our team understands the importance of early intervention in order to improve the medical outcomes for many patients.

In addition to long-standing commitment to continuity of care, the inpatient rehabilitation team provides comprehensive treatment on the inpatient unit while the patient is still in the acute phases of his or her recovery. As the patient becomes more medically stable, they are able to benefit from a full regimen of rehabilitation interventions allowing for optimum outcomes.

Conditions We Treat

• Head injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Brain tumors
• Neuromuscular diseases (Guillan Barre syndrome, dermatomyositis)
• Nutrition and feeding
• Orthopedic conditions
• Physical debilitation resulting from acute medical conditions
• Amputations
• Respiratory insufficiency and assistive technologies:
• Tracheostomies
• Ventilator management

Neurotrauma Rehabilitation Services

• Board-certified pediatric rehabilitation physician specialists (physiatrists)
• Consultation, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment
• Inpatient and outpatient care management
• Neurotrauma rehabilitation specialty nurses
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Rehabilitation psychology services
• Speech and language therapy
• Psychosocial support
• Therapeutic recreation/child life
• Respiratory therapy
• Learning specialists
• Case management
• Patient care conferences
• Community/school transition
• Feeding and swallow evaluation
• Insurance liaison

Special Facilities and Services of the Neurotrauma Program

• A playroom is located on the unit and is staffed by volunteers during the day and into the evening.
• Every room is equipped with a VCR, and the unit has a video library of more than 250 movies and cartoons for children and young adults.
• An occupational therapy/physical therapy gym is also part of the unit, so that patients do not have to be transported off the unit for therapies.
• A speech–language and learning room is also located on the unit.
• A patient and family resource room with a computer and Internet access is available.
• Community transition experiences are incorporated into treatment programs, so families can have opportunities to practice therapy activities in 'real life' settings before going home. Out-trips into the community are planned, which have specific goals for each child. As a result, they can be better prepared for the child to participate in family activities after discharge. A team of rehabilitation specialists work together to plan community transition out-trips for patients and families as needed.

Support Groups for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Monthly, no-charge groups for parents and children or adolescents who have had traumatic brain injuries are offered by The Children's Hospital. Please call Dr. Jeanne Dise-Lewis at (720) 777-1234 for additional information.