Inpatient Acquired Brain Injury Program

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s 12-bed CARF-accredited Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Program, located on the third floor of the J. Paul Sticht Center on Aging and Rehabilitation in a dedicated unit with specialty trained staff, provides specialized care for patients 13 years of age and older with traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries. The ABI Unit is designed to provide a safe accessible environment for persons with an acquired brain injury.

Patients most appropriate for the Acquired Brain Injury Program include those with newly acquired cognitive deficits or behavioral problems secondary to open or closed head injury, status post brain tumor removal, status post treatment for cerebral arteriovenous malformation or aneurysm, status post deep brain stimulation, anoxia, meningitis, encephalitis, or patients with a rehabilitation-need diagnosis compounded by safety/elopement risk.

ABI is a general term that covers all brain damage occurring after birth. In the context of rehabilitation, ABI typically refers to injuries that cause both physical and cognitive impairments or behavioral disabilities.

Patients admitted to the Acquired Brain Injury Program typically have some physical disabilities, but their newly acquired cognitive or behavioral brain processes are a real impediment to them being discharged to their homes.

Cognitive issues may include:

• Short and long-term memory loss
• Difficulties with concentration, judgment, communication and planning
• Spatial disorientation

Behavioral or emotional issues may include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Denial
• Sexual difficulties
• Emotional liability
• Egocentricity
• Impulsivity
• Disinhibition
• Agitation
• Isolation

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