Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation New York

A Personal Approach to Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Spinal cord injury (SCI) affects a person’s total way of life, which is why it is vital to offer a broad range of services to address a patient’s full spectrum of needs. The comprehensive Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at Helen Hayes Hospital cares for the patient throughout the continuum, from intensive inpatient rehabilitation through outpatient therapy, ongoing medical care, and sports and wellness programs. Our philosophy is to let the patient be our guide, helping our skilled specialists design an individualized treatment plan to meet the patient’s specific needs and goals, while preventing future complications from SCI.

Each patient receives spinal cord injury treatment from an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team under the direction of a board certified physician with a specialty in spinal cord injury. Working collaboratively toward the patient’s goals, the team consists of physical, occupational and speech therapists, rehabilitation nurses, case managers, psychologists, dieticians and other committed professionals. The team encourages a patient’s family and caregivers to participate in the rehabilitation process through frequent visits and patient/family education and conferences.

SCI Rehabilitation Program Admissions

Individuals who have sustained a complete or incomplete spinal cord injury due to trauma, acts of violence, tumors, sports injuries, spinal stenosis, compression fractures and transverse myelitis are all candidates for inpatient rehabilitation. The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation team also treats patients with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS /Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and peripheral nervous system disorders, as well as myopathies and muscular dystrophies. Located in New York’s Hudson Valley, the program not only serves patients from throughout the New York Metropolitan region, New Jersey and Connecticut, but also attracts patients from across the country.

Customized Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Plan

The strength of the HHH Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Program is its capacity to address all of the complex effects of spinal cord injury, including paraplegia and quadriplegia, respiratory disorders, bowel and bladder dysfunction, skin care and wounds and spasticity, as well as emotional and psychological issues related to adjustment to a new way of life. Patients with SCI are admitted directly into our specially designed and equipped spinal cord injury unit, which offers round-the-clock monitoring and the capability to care for patients with feeding tubes and ventilators. The acute rehabilitation program provides a full spectrum of services, along with access to highly specialized care and state-of-the-art equipment and technology.

Dedicated 24-bed SCI Unit and Therapy Gym
Patient rooms with internet access & environmental controls to maximize patient independence
Medical leadership and care provided by a board certified physiatrist with specialty in SCI Medicine
Medical Consultation Services including Cardiology, Urology, Pulmonology, ENT, Orthopedics, Pain Management
24/7 On-Site Physician/Physician Extender Care
Certified Rehabilitation Nursing
Physical Therapy to restore functional mobility & strength
Occupational Therapy to restore the performance of activities of daily living
Speech Language Therapy including Dysphagia/swallowing therapy, Videoflourscopy, FEES, VitalStim Therapy/E-Stim, Speech-Breathing/Voice Therapy with use of Passy-Muir Speaking Valve for patients with tracheostomy tubes and/or on mechanical ventilation
State-of-the-Art Therapeutic Equipment including: Vibration Therapy, Bioness, Upper Extremity FES, RTS 300 FES Cycle, Armeo
Services of the Center for Rehabilitation Technology (CRT)
Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training
Recreational Therapy Services & Adaptive Sports
Ventilator Weaning & Management/Tracheostomy Care/Respiratory Therapy
In-house Orthotics department including WalkAide
Psychiatry & Psychology Services
Smart Apartment/Activities of Daily Living training
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Peer Mentoring
Aquatic Therapy
Nutrition Education
Overnight transitional living apartment
Sexual Counseling
Case Management & Discharge Planning
Spinal Cord Injury Support Group
Adapted Sports & Recreation Program
Driver Evaluation & Training
Patient & Family Education/ in-house SCI education TV Channel
Dormitory room accommodations available for patient guests*

*For family and friends traveling long distances who wish to visit with our patients with spinal cord injury, the hospital makes dormitory rooms available for limited overnight stays. This also allows loved ones to fully participate in the rehabilitation process, become educated as to the patient’s needs, while offering comfort and support. Children under 18 years of age are not permitted in rooms.

Follow-up Care

Following inpatient rehabilitation, SCI patients may benefit from HHH’s full continuum of care, including:

Helen Hayes Hospital is home to the United Spinal Association Hudson Valley Chapter, a peer advocacy program: Click to learn more

The Helen Hayes Hospital Spinal Cord Injury Injury Rehabilitation Program is JCAHO and CARF Accredited.

For comprehensive educational materials on SCI, please click here.

For more information, please contact the Helen Hayes Admission Referral Center:
1-888-70-REHAB ext. 4535
845-786-4535
info@helenhayeshospital.org
To schedule a guided tour, call 845-786-4233

Spinal Cord Injury Scope of Services

Spinal Cord Injury Program Disclosure 2017

For more information on Spinal Cord Injuries visit:

American Spinal Cord Injury Association: www.asia-spinalinjury.org

Academy of Spinal Cord Injury Professionals: www.academyscipro.org

Paralyzed Veterans of America: www.pva.org

International Spinal Cord Society: www.iscos.org.uk

Care Cure Community: www.CareCure.org

United Spinal: www.unitedspinal.org

Facing Disability: www.facingdisability.com