Inpatient stroke rehabilitation at Good Samaritan Hospital
The statistics are amazing. More than 500,000 Americans suffer strokes annually. Strokes are the leading cause of disability and the third leading cause of death among adults. And, one in three stroke victims is under the age 65.
What is a stroke?
It’s a sudden break, blockage or other stoppage in blood flow to all or part of the brain, which destroys or kills brain cells in the affected area. As a result, any part of the body controlled by the damaged cells will be unable to function as it did before … or may not function at all.
Are all strokes the same?
No. Although all strokes damage brain cells, they differ depending on how, when, where and to whom they occur. There are three basic types caused by:
- Embolisms: Blockages due to clots
- Thrombosis: Clogged areas due to fatty deposits in arteries
- Hemorrhages: Breakages due to weakened artery walls
Embolisms and thrombosis usually happen to older adults. Hemorrhages mainly happen to younger adults and children. Mini-strokes, called Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA), are temporary versions of larger strokes with apparent recovery usually within 24 hours.
Stroke rehabilitation program
MultiCare stroke rehabilitation programs focus on minimizing impairments, maximizing function and preventing stroke recurrence.
We consider the patient and family and/or caregiver to be essential members of the rehabilitation team. We provide patient and family education that emphasizes informed decision making, social adjustment, maintenance of rehabilitation gains, utilizing community resources for community reintegration and prevention of stroke recurrence.
Our ultimate goal is to assist the person with the stroke — and the family — safely reach the highest level of independence possible. For younger persons with strokes, rehabilitation also targets goals related to resuming parenting duties as well as a successful return to work/school.
MultiCare inpatient rehabilitation programs offer a variety of specialized services for the rehabilitation of a stroke. These include:
- Low vision program
- Vestibular/balance training
- Serial casting
- Continence clinic
- Saebo system
- Bioness technology
- Zero G Anti-Gravity System
- Dynavision
- Omni Virtual Reality System
- Outdoor patio/therapy area
- ADL training bathroom, kitchen and an apartment
Specialized trained staff includes:
- NDT trained therapy staff
- Certified rehabilitation registered nursing
- Wound care specialists
- Certified lymphedema specialists
- Saebo trained
- Graston trained
MultiCare rehabilitation programs are certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for medical rehabilitation. Good Samaritan rehabilitation program is accredited for stroke specialty program as well.