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HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL CARE 12 Our Approach to our Patients Comprehensive services Hospital for Special Care provides a continuum of care to patients with spinal-cord injuries generally caused by trauma. A full force of specialists — such as internal medicine and pul- monary physicians, physical and occupational therapists, case managers and neuropsychologists — create a multifaceted team of experts on which patients can rely for information, guidance and rehabilitation. More often than not, this means creating rehabilitation goals that are in sync with the patient's individual limitations, modi- fying as needed to achieve maximum independence. "I am never negative, but I am realistic without bursting their bubble," says Dr. William Pesce, chief of physical medicine and rehabilitation at HSC. "en we move forward with their goals," bringing patients' independence and rehabilitation to the highest level possible. Perhaps a patient will get to the mile- stone in their rehabilitation where they can walk in their homes and do simple tasks with home therapy, he said, for example. At that point, longer-term goals can be set. Comprehensive physical rehabilitation is also addressed with the hospital's stroke unit, where HSC is uniquely equipped to handle patients with co-morbidities like diabetes or other chronic diseases, said Pesce. "Most that come here are the worst of the worst," in terms of case complexity, he said. "We don't just get patients with a little weakness." HSC is working toward expanding its stroke outpatient program, said Pesce, many insurances won't cover inpatient care, and things like drug-induced strokes produce more of a need for these services. n SPINAL CORD CARE The SCI rehabilitation team of physicians, therapists, nurses and support staff provide an intense, comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the rehabilitation of SCI patients. Our specialized programs are designed to treat patients who: • Have a spinal cord injury (SCI) • Have a brain injury (BI) • Are unable to breathe on their own From admission to discharge, each segment of care is planned and carried out by a multidisciplinary team of talented healthcare professionals — all of whom share HSC's commitment to rebuilding lives. Treatment and Research The SCI interdisciplinary team utilizes a combination of standard and advanced therapies, cutting-edge technology and new research. These include, but are not limited to: • Advanced wheelchair seating • Aquatic rehabilitation • Body weight supported treadmill training • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation • Pressure mapping • ReWalk Rehabilitation 2.0 system • Spasticity management with Botox™ and Baclofen™ pumps • Wound care management