Continuum of Care:
The Center for Brain Injury Recovery at Kennedy Krieger Institute has a comprehensive Rehabilitation Continuum of Care, with extensive experience in providing acute and chronic neurorehabilitation within different settings of care, depending on the patient’s needs. The Continuum is accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and The Joint Commission.
Inpatient Services:
Patients with the most severe injuries often begin their course of treatment through Kennedy Krieger’s inpatient unit. Some transfer directly from an outside pediatric intensive care unit, which allows a seamless transition into therapy, prevents complications, and promotes recovery. We accept patients with tracheostomies, feeding tubes, ventilators, intravenous lines, and other medically complex issues.
Throughout a patient’s stay on the inpatient unit, therapy goals are discussed daily, with the family playing a critical role on the treatment team. Discharge planning begins at admission, and when the timing is right, we can offer unique alternatives to the inpatient setting that help extend a patient’s rehabilitation into home and community life.
From the beginning of the patient’s stay, the family is educated on their child’s condition, the stages of recovery, and what to expect during the process. As therapy continues, families are trained to assist with the child’s care so that caregivers are as prepared as possible for discharge. Patients receive a full array of interdisciplinary services as appropriate for their treatment plan.
In addition, we have a specialized team that focuses on children in a minimally conscious state. Our experts in the Brain Injury Responsiveness Program evaluate and treat children and adolescents with a history of injury to the brain who exhibit altered arousal or ability to interact with their environment. Our program includes detailed interdisciplinary evaluations and a unique, three-tiered approach of medication management, assessment of sleep cycles and responsiveness, and identification of stimuli that promote response.
Outpatient Services:
Coordinated Outpatient Services:
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Day Hospital
Patients who have daily therapy needs, but do not require the 24-hour medical care of an inpatient setting, can be treated through our day hospital Specialized Transition Program (STP). This five-day-a-week, intensive day treatment program provides rehabilitation services consisting of daily therapy and school experiences. STP offers full interdisciplinary treatment coordinated by a rehabilitation medicine physician. - Community Rehabilitation Program
Our Community Rehabilitation Program is designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated therapies targeted at improved function in a variety of real-world settings. This is a flexible program that can meet an individual’s needs in home and community environments. The program’s services range from full interdisciplinary team neurorehabilitation to a single therapy, as needed.
Outpatient Specialty Clinics and Follow-up Program:
Comprehensive evaluation and treatment services, as well as long-term follow-up, are available for patients with brain injuries through our specialized outpatient clinics. Our clinics were developed to meet the most common needs of children with varying levels of brain injury. These clinics include:
- Concussion Clinic
In this clinic, we serve children with mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions), as well as those with more significant injuries who may be briefly hospitalized but do not need intensive rehabilitation services. Our goal is to determine the best path for the child’s recovery after concussion, and to help the child return to academic, athletic, home, and community life. Our expertise extends to those children who are slow to recover from a concussion and continue to struggle weeks, and even longer, after the injury. In addition, we provide education and support for families who have questions about their child’s recovery.
- Brain Injury Clinic
Children who require more extensive interdisciplinary care are evaluated and followed in our Brain Injury Clinic. Children served in our inpatient unit, Specialized Transition Program, and Community Rehabilitation Programs typically receive follow-up care in this clinic. Children who received initial care at other facilities and require further interdisciplinary evaluation or treatment are also served in this clinic. Our physicians, neuropsychologists, behavioral psychologists, physical therapists, social workers, and educators evaluate children to ensure that all of their long- and shortterm rehabilitation needs are being met. This interdisciplinary team is especially appropriate for children with behavioral, cognitive, and educational needs that occur after a brain injury.