Inpatient Acquired Brain Injury Program
Wake Forest Baptist Health's CARF-Accredited Inpatient Acquired Brain Injury Program provides specialized, intensive rehabilitation services for patients age 13 years and older who have traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries resulting in cognitive deficits, behavior problems, physical limitations and problems with self care. Brain injuries may be related to trauma from motor vehicle and other accidents, brain tumors, stroke, anoxia/hypoxia or other neurological injuries. The WFBH Brain Injury Rehab Program outperforms other programs across the country by returning a higher percentage of patients to home and facilitating greater functional gains. The Program's effectiveness is attributed to the expertise of its interdisciplinary rehabilitation care team and exceptional facilities designed for the unique needs of brain injured patients. The Program provides patient and family training programs to prepare patients and their families for rehab discharge, to coordinate equipment needs and home modifications, and to provide information on lifetime health and wellness resources.
Acquired Brain Injury (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.
Cognitive issues may include:
- Short and longer term memory loss
- Difficulties with concentration, judgment, communication and planning
- Spatial disorientation
Behavioral or emotional issues may include:
Our Team
Our interdisciplinary rehab team includes professionals specializing in:
Physiatry and Neurology | Occupational Therapy | Recreation Therapy |
Rehabilitation Nursing | Physical Therapy | Social Work |
Clinical Psychology | Speech Therapy | Vocational Rehab |
Neuropsychology | Clinical Nutrition | Assistive Technology |
*These services are provided by team members who are not directly employed by WFBH, but who work very collaboratively with the WFBH Rehab Programs.
Our Philosophy
Our team knows that each patient is unique, with specific needs, capabilities and potential. Therefore, each patient's treatment is completely individualized and modified as recovery progresses. Together, the rehabilitation team, patient and family set goals and work together to achieve these goals.
Scope of Services
- Physicians specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR or physiatry) or Neurology direct the patient's plan of care on a daily basis
- Rehabilitation Nursing is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy is available 7 days a week
- Recreation therapy, clinical psychology, neuropsychology, vocational rehabilitation, and assistive technology services are available 5 days a week, as needed
- Each patient is assigned a Care Coordinator who acts as a liaison between patient, family/caregiver, rehabilitation professionals, and third party payers
- WFBH provides all ancillary services including, but not limited to, Diagnostic Imaging, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Spiritual Care, and Respiratory Therapy
- Consulting physician services for other medical specialities are provided by WFBH, as needed
- If services not available within the Medical Center are needed, referrals, contracts or consultations are made for these services, which may include, but are not limited to: orthotics and prosthetics, durable medical equipment, caregiver/family services, substance abuse counseling, rehab engineering, and driver's assessment and education.
- Rehabilitation Program staff collaborate with acute hospital and outpatient rehabilitation staff to promote coordinated patient care across the continuum.
Specialized Facility and Services
The Program provides an environment and services ideally suited for brain injury rehabilitation.
- Dedicated brain injury nursing unit, ensuring reduced stimulation and a secure therapeutic environment that allows patients to move freely throughout the unit.
- On-site school tutoring education program for adolescent patients
- Home of the Regional Resource Center for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
Treatment Goals
The ultimate goal is to return each patient to the highest level of independence possible, and in most cases, to return patients to home. Specific treatment goals are individualized for each patient and may include:
- Maximizing function in:
- Mobility
- Activities of daily living
- Communication and cognition
- Swallowing
- Bowel and bladder management
- Addressing sexuality and family issues
- Disability adjustment and counseling and coping strategies
- Improving attention span, memory, judgment and physical function
- Improving behavioral/social skills
- Patient and family education for individualized needs
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