Criteria for Acute Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Admission

Acute pediatric inpatient rehabilitation is for children experiencing changes in physical function, mobility, speech, cognition, behavior, emotions and personal independence due to:

• Physical disabilities
• Illnesses
• Injuries

Patients seeking admission to the acute pediatric inpatient rehabilitation program at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital must:

• Participate in three hours of intensive rehabilitation five days a week.
• Require two or more modalities of therapy, such as physical, speech or occupational.
• Require 24-hour medical care with daily physician oversight.
• Have the capacity to make functional improvements based on the rehabilitation goals set with their personal therapy team.
• Receive approval from a physiatrist proving that they meet the above criteria.

Treatment Plan

Upon admission into the program, the patient will be evaluated to create an individualized and progressive plan that focuses on their specific needs and goals, recognizing that these needs will evolve.

The patient will work with a team of rehabilitation experts, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physicians, nurses, psychiatrists and chaplains. A case manager will help ensure a cohesive and collaborative experience.

Components of treatment vary depending on the child’s needs, but could include:

• Daily physiatrist interaction and guidance.
• Regular consultation with a neuropsychologist to evaluate and update treatment to ensure progress toward rehabilitation goals.
• Cognitive therapy session promoting motivation and retention of information.
• Physical therapy:
  • Muscle strengthening
  • Splinting and casting
  • Aquatic therapy
  • Kinesiotaping™
  • Electrical stimulation therapy, which uses low voltage at a comfortable intensity to stimulate muscle contraction, strengthening and blood flow
  • Prosthetic and orthotic fitting
  • Gait training
  • Wheelchair and mobility training
• Using assistive therapeutic technology to augment treatment.
• Occupational therapy to help patients perform daily living activities.
• Swallowing and speech therapy.
• Pain management.
• Emotional support and counseling for the patient and their family.
• Academic services to help children return to school.
• Family education to help the child improve outside of therapy sessions and after discharge.
• Case management support.
• Guidance from a dietitian.
• Spiritual care and support for patients and families.
• Behavior support with applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
• Support from a Child Life Specialist.

For more information on acute pediatric inpatient rehabilitation, visit Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.