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SPRING1993 ISSUE

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SINAI HOSPITAL

HealthNews

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

TED'S STORY

THE JOURNAL OF A SINAI REHAB UNIT PATIENT

he active, contribut-
ing life of "Ted," a
53-year-old trucking
supervisor, was ab-
ruptly altered by a
stroke.
Ted was admitted
to Sinai Hospital's
Intensive Care Unit
and subsequently, the medical
service. Thanks to modern
medicine, Ted— like tens of
thousands of Americans each
year — survived the stroke.

unit was a different sort of spirit.
place. The first thing he no-
Ted and the rest of The
ticed in the upbeat, cheerfully Team define realistic goals for
decorated atmosphere was the his progress toward indepen-
empty beds.
dence and recovery of his for-
This is not a place to rest, he mer life. An individualized
could see. Rehab patients, he plan is formed, based on what
soon learned, are the busiest Ted and his family define as
patients in the hospital.
their goals. Various stages of
Ted's day begins like most the plan's accomplishments are
folks': he gets dressed. No hos- strategized. Ted and his fam-
pital gowns here. A trained re- ily learn of the variety of activ-
habilitation nurse will assist or ities that will speed him to
supervise his effort. Then Ted recovery over the next several
goes down to weeks, on average.
breakfast
where, when
he's able, he
may partici-
The patient has an important voice in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation's team approach to
pate in the
care and recovery.
Breakfast
Club food
wash and prepare a meal, if
Ted's grandchildren may
preparation
he's always done these things come visit him for the Sinai
activities.
In physical therapy Ted will at home. All of this with the Hospital Information Pro-
Here he strengthen his muscles, restore assistance and supervision of gram– Rehabilitation (SHIP-R
meets fellow motion and relieve pain with trained therapists.
program), a week-long pro-
Rehab pa- exercise, whirlpools, ultra-
Ted's speech pathologist will gram during the summer,
tients who are sound, heat, cold or electrical help him retrain his speech where they will be taught
recovering stimulation.
muscles to perform as before about what happened to
from bone,
In occupational therapy Ted and will teach him to think Grandpa and their sensitivity
spinal cord or will mimic the activities com- more clearly and to retrieve to his limitations will be
brain injuries; mon to his daily life. He'll learn words from their hiding places boosted. In the summer, they
amputations; how to use the capabilities he deep in his mind. On the unit, may come to a picnic and dance
Parkinson's has and to compensate for the rehabilitation nursing staff with him to the music of a live
Disease and those that have abandoned will reinforce techniques Ted band.
arthritis. If him. He'll be introduced to spe- learns in therapy and will ed-
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Chairperson Joseph C.
At least once a week Ted will
any of them need cial adaptive equipment that ucate Ted and his family on go in a van out into the com-
Honet, M.D., right, directs a highly-specialized program of
medical care and recovery for Rehab patients.
help feeding or swal- will, for example, hold his food care needs such as medication munity where he will learn
lowing, an occupa- for him while he cuts with his instruction, skin care and home how to negotiate through a gro-
But he was left with physical tional therapist and speech
good hand. Hell do a load of safety.
cery store, restaurant or mall.
limitations that prevented him pathologist is there to coach
Sinai's innovative
from returning to an indepen- them.
'WA '" nteRniSaa, ::,•,
‘- qt:c.N. 'N . •
Community Reinte-
dent life.
gration Program
At Sinai Hospital, when his
symbolizes its basic
recovery progressed beyond the
philosophy, says
need for intensive medical
Today Ted learns that the
Physical Medicine
treatment, Ted "graduated" to professionals he's met are part
and Rehabilitation
the specialized medical unit of of a team on which he is the
Chairperson Joseph
the Department of Physical primary player. He and mem-
C. Honet, M.D. "We
Medicine and Rehabilitation. bers of his family meet with
strive to make the
The department has received The Team, which may include
patients as indepen-
a high ranking from the Com- physical, occupational and
dent as possible and
mission on Accreditation of Re- recreational therapists, a
return them as
habilitation Facilities (CARF), speech pathologist, a rehabili-
closely as possible to
the premier national accred- tation nurse, psychologist, a so-
their prior lifestyle."
iting body for rehabilitation. cial worker, an audiologist, a
One day during
This is also the department physical medicine physician
the week Ted will
where Ted would reclaim his and perhaps a resident physi-
get a visit from a lov-
life.
cian.
able dog or cat. The
Ted will learn that Sinai's
Animal Welfare So-
goals for stroke patients are to
ciety will bring in a
achieve self care, mobility and
collection of furry
adjustment to their new phys-
company to assist in
ical challenges. Sinai's dedi-
therapeutic activi-
cation to encouraging Ted to
ties. Ted will be
Right from the beginning reach his maximum potential
asked to call the
Ted could tell Sinai's Physical will be aimed at helping him
pet's name or to
Medicine and Rehabilitation replenish both his body and his In addition to expertise, Sinai Rehaab therapists offer encouragement and support to thier patients.
walk toward the an-

A Load of Wash,
A Furry Visitor,
A Picnic and A
New Golf Swing

Ted's Team

K

The Busiest
Patients in the
Hospital

10

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