Spinal Cord Injury Program

Under the direction of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist Ann Vasile, M.D., Board Certified in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Long Beach Memorial provides a comprehensive continuum of rehabilitation services for individuals with SCI. This the well-respected program offers an experienced team of physicians and therapists who work with patients to reach the maximum level of independence possible and teach them how to lead active, productive and rewarding lives.

"We design individualized programs to serve patients at a variety of levels ranging from acute inpatient, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation care, to our Spinal Cord Injury Day Treatment Program, to our Outpatient Neuro-Rehabilitation, and our Community Recreational Program," says Dr. Vasile. "Our clinical outcomes show that 98% of our SCI patients return to the community, demonstrating the effectiveness of the treatments of our Spinal Cord Injury team."

In addition, Long Beach Memorial is the only facility in Southern California to perform the advanced surgical technique of upper extremity electrical implants known as the "Freehand" System. Patients may be evaluated for their ability to benefit from this procedure six months to one year after injury in the Upper Extremity Restoration Clinic.

Typical diagnoses accepted include spinal cord disorder as a result of trauma, tumor, spinal cord compression, spinal cord myelopathy, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain Barre.

Internal case management ensures coordination of each case throughout the rehabilitation stay, ensuring access to the appropriate services, providing a consistent liaison with external case managers, insurance adjusters and family members. Family involvement and training is essential in achieving treatment results For more information about this program call: (562) 933-9001

Program Components

• Physical Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Speech Therapy
• Therapeutic Recreation
• Case Management
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Dietary
• Neuropsychology

Goals

• Increase functional independence: dressing, self feeding, homemaking, ambulation, bowel & bladder management, wheelchair mobility, leisure skills and cognitive/communication skills.
• Communication system assessment/recommendations.
• Training for use of adaptive equipment.
• Community re-entry and community resource training.
• Orthotic/splint need assessment/recommendation and assistance with fabrication.
• Provide recommendations/training in home exercise/ therapeutic activities.
• Caregiver/family training.
• Referrals to dysphagia service, neuropsychology, spasticity clinic and upper extremity restoration program.

Populations Served

• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Guillian Barre
• Spinal Surgery with resultant neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction

Special Attributes

• Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accredited
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accredited Center of Excellence
• Specialized Neuro-rehabilitation Team
• California Children Services paneled therapists
• Accept Medi-Cal and Medicare contracts

Physicians

Dr. Ann Vasile, Board Certified in Spinal Cord Injury

The Rehabilitation Team

Physiatrist
The physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation is called a physiatrist. The physiatrist assesses and treats individuals with spinal cord injuries. The physiatrist prescribes different treatment programs recommended by the team, and medically manages all phases of recovery and rehabilitation.

Physical therapy
The physical therapist evaluates physical abilities and motor control. The PT works towards improving the person's functional movements such as walking. The PT helps train families in exercise programs, safe-transferring techniques, and in the use of any equipment that the patient may need.

Occupational therapy
The occupational therapist evaluates and treats upper body strength and mobility, visual functioning, and the ability to safely perform activities of daily living (such as bathing, grooming, cooking). Recommendations regarding appropriate devices and modifications for the home as also given by therapists.

Speech Language Therapy/Dysphagia
The speech language pathologists are American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certified and state licensed. Services consist of evaluation or receptive language, expressive language, speech production, reading comprehension, written language skills, attention, memory, problem solving and executive functioning. The clinician also may evaluate and manage swallowing (dysphagia) problems.

Neuropsychologist
A neuropsychologist is a psychologist specializing in spinal cord injury. A neuropsychologist evaluates behavior and cognitive status, assists in the survivor's adjustment to the long-term effects of brain injury, helps the team manage behavior problems in a consistent manner, and provides family counseling and support as needed. Education groups are led by the neuropsychologist.

Therapeutic Recreation
Each patient is assessed in regard to his/her leisure interests and abilities then may participate in group and/or individual recreation activities and outings, which address rehabilitation goals. The ultimate goal is for patients to return to the leisure pursuits they previously enjoyed, as well as to learn new activities they may enjoy after discharge. The Therapeutic Recreation department also plans and organizes community recreation events to help facilitate the rehabilitation patient's transition for hospital to home to community.

Nursing
A nurse specializing in rehabilitation takes charge of health care needs and helps carry out the physician's orders. Nursing personnel also initiate patient independence with bladder and bowel functions, and assist in providing information to families on issues such as administering medications and special feeding procedures.

Social Worker
The social worker is typically the primary contact person between the person with the brain injury, family members, and the team. In addition to offering support and counseling to patient and family, the social worker helps to coordinate the recommended discharge plans and provides suggestions for financial services. The case manager may also work closely with the social worker to help with the transition from rehab to home and community.

Dietician
The dietician assesses the individual's nutritional needs, monitors the daily intake of foods and liquids, and provides for any special dietary needs. The dietician counsel families about these nutritional needs and along with the Dysphagia clinician, makes specific dietary recommendations.

Location Details for Spinal Cord Injury Program