Our Care and Services

Our licensed and experienced therapists treat patients with brain injuries resulting from:

• Trauma
• Cerebral hemorrhage
• Infection
• Tumors
• Oxygen deprivation
• Other causes

Inpatient brain injury for adults is available at Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and the Woodstock Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation is also offered for children at the Marianjoy location.

Criteria for Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Admission

To be admitted to the inpatient brain injury rehabilitation programs at Northwestern Medicine, you must:

• Participate in at least three hours of intensive rehabilitation, at least five days a week.
• Require two or more types of therapy, such as physical, speech or occupational.
• Need 24-hour medical care with daily physician oversight.
• Have the capacity to make functional improvements based on the rehabilitation goals set with your therapy team.
• Get approval from a physiatrist, a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, that you meet the above criteria.

Your Inpatient Rehabilitation Team

Our teams have extensive experience in managing the rehabilitation and health needs of patients who have experienced a brain injury, including patients who have multiple medical needs. Because we work closely with other Northwestern Medicine facilities and specialists, you have access to the most advanced treatment options available.

Your team may include:

• A physiatrist, a physician who is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• A resident physician
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Rehabilitation registered nurse
• Occupational therapist
• Physical therapist
• Speech-language pathologist
• Case manager
• Psychologist
• Pharmacist
• Chaplain
• Therapeutic recreation specialist
• Dietitian

Your Treatment Plan

After a complete assessment, we will work with you to set your goals. Together, we will design a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to help you reach them. Therapy sessions typically take place for at least three hours a day, at least five days per week. They are intended to maximize your recovery.

They may include:

• Daily physiatrist interaction and guidance
• Regular consultation with a neuropsychologist to evaluate and update treatment to ensure progress toward the patient’s goals
• An individualized mobility treatment plan, determined by your physical therapist, focused on goals like walking and strengthening, balance and coordination.
• Using assistive therapeutic technology to support your treatment
• Occupational therapy to help you perform everyday activities, like dressing, hygiene, preparing meals and tasks around the home
• Therapy to treat cognitive and communication disorders
• Swallowing and speech therapy
• Pain management
• Emotional support and counseling for you and your family
• Vocational and academic services to help you return to school or the workforce
• Education to give you resources after program discharge

Patient and Family Education

Education is a key part of your rehabilitation journey. Your nursing and therapy teams will:

• Teach you how to manage your current medical condition along with any potential future health concerns related to your brain injury.
• Help you and your family overcome challenges, such as those related to self-care or everyday activities.
• Share tools and techniques to address the psychological and emotional difficulties that may occur as you adapt to life after a brain injury.