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MedCentral Stroke Team
Physicians:
Neurosurgeon/endovascular neurosurgeon/interventional neuroradiologist:
Neurologists:
Physical medicine and rehabilitation
Many other specialty physicians are available for consultation.
Nursing Staff
The critical care nursing staff coordinates the care delivered by various health care providers. These nurses have a commitment to maintaining competency in critical care nursing through ongoing education and experience. Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification is required for all registered nurses by the end of their first year of working in the intensive care unit. Additional classes are provided focusing on the care of the neuroscience patient.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists help stroke survivors adjust to changes in their lifestyles. Therapists work with each individual and family to help improve the ability to complete daily tasks like bathing, dressing, simple home management tasks and driving. If necessary, we'll conduct home assessments to explore the need for redesign or special equipment to enhance safety and independence in the home. Special therapeutic activities can be offered to help compensate for visual, sensory or memory loss. Occupational therapists also provide structured opportunities to increase survivors' physical endurance and strength to rebuild their self confidence and self esteem.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is necessary when a patient has strength, coordination or balance deficits. Physical therapists work on improving these deficits with special attention on the patient's ability to get out of bed and walk. We work toward improving the patient's function so he or she can return safely home or enter inpatient rehabilitation.
Social Work Services
Social workers help patients and their families with discharge planning by helping them gain access to services, community resources and medical equipment they may need after leaving the hospital. Social workers also provide emotional support and serve as advocates for patients' needs. They counsel families who are confronted with social and financial difficulties, and they are available to provide crisis intervention.
Speech Language Pathology Services
Speech-Language Pathologists address a variety of disorders and patient needs as part of the MedCentral Stroke Team. The speech-language pathologists at MedCentral are specially trained to evaluate and develop treatment programs when brain damage occurs, whether from injury, stroke or disease. The goal of treatment is to improve speech, language, cognitive and swallowing abilities during daily life and to coordinate these treatments with other professionals for best possible outcomes.
Therapeutic Recreation Services
Recreation Therapy utilizes various activities as a form of active treatment to promote independent physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of those disabled by neurological disease or injury. This helps patients establish new skills for daily living, community function and quality of life.
Last updated August 30, 2012 |