Brain Injury Rehabilitation

A brain injury, whether from trauma or illness, can alter physical and cognitive abilities, language and behavior. Levels of impairment can be significant or subtle, depending upon the severity of injury, age, history of previous brain injury, length of time in coma, and general health. Once medically stabilized, a patient can begin the complex process of medical rehabilitation with the goal of regaining the highest possible level of functional independence.

A Continuum of Care

Brain Injury Continuum at RISB is organized to treat patients at the most appropriate level of care. Acute Rehabilitation may be optimal for patients functioning at IV to VII on the Rancho Los Amigos Scale of Cognitive Functioning, or who are improving quickly and are in need of more intensive services. Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, patients may receive outpatient services at the Keck Center for Outpatient Services and may elect to enter the Brain Injury Outpatient Program there.

The Brain Injury continuum at Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara is under the direction of the V.P. of Medical Services/Medical Director. The team is comprised of dedicated professionals who work together with the patient and family to regain the patient's highest possible level of functional independence.

Transdisciplinary, Team-delivered Therapy

From inpatient through outpatient treatment, the brain injury continuum employs an intensive transdisciplinary approach to therapy, which addresses the medical, physical, cognitive, neuropsychological and family needs of the brain injured individual. The rehabilitation team includes a physical therapist, occupational therapist, case manager, psychologist, speech/language pathologist, respiratory therapist, dietician, therapeutic recreation specialist, and rehabilitation nurses. An internal medicine physician attends to the patient's general medical needs, to insuring optimal benefit from therapy. The patient and family are at the center of the team.

The case manager is the program manager and serves as the liaison among the patient, family, team members, referring physician and Insurance Company, assuring prompt and thorough reports of patient progress.

Program Components and Goals

Program components are designed to increase the individual's level of cognition and responsiveness, communication and functional independence, as well as to assist the patient in developing the skills necessary to cope with residual disabilities. Goals are established according to the patient's clinical potential and community resources.

RISB's Outpatient Brain Injury Services offer the continued rehabilitation needed to help each client achieve the highest level of cognitive and physical recovery, and return to supervised or independent status. Patients have access to vocational resources, support services, driving evaluations, and therapeutic recreation extension courses. Treatment emphasizes home involvement and community re-integration. Individual or group treatment is offered. Return to work is a focus when appropriate. Follow-up to ensure maintenance of achieved gains is an integral part of the program.

Outpatient Treatment Goals for Brain Injured Patients Include

Self-Care Improvement: To be as independent as possible living at home or maintaining an independent residence.

Volitional Planning Improvement: To be as independent as possible in structuring and normalizing activities.

Functional Mobility Improvement: To be as independent as possible in making the transition from home-based to community-based participation in activities.

Adaptive Behavior Improvement: To reduce the untoward reactions of community members to the patient's current neurocognitive or neurobehavioral complications.

Admission for Brain Injury Services

Brain Injury Services at RISB serves medically stable patients ages four and older. Diagnoses appropriate for admission are traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, hypoxia, anoxic encephalopathy, cerebral infections, and more severe cerebral vascular accidents (stroke).

For Outcomes information or to refer a patient, contact RISB's Admissions office at (805) 569-8999 ext. 2317.