AC - Rehabilitation Flashcards
What is rehab?
Process of helping person achieve fullest potential across many domains (physical, social, psychological, vocational, educational)
Maintain health and prevent secondary complications
What are the main principles of rehab?
Consistent with the person’s life goals, environmental limitations and impairment
Holistic approach - significant inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary contribution
Addresses patient issues in all domains – communication, mobility, self-care, cognition, behaviour, social supports, community access
Patient needs to be suitable for a rehabilitation program
SMART goals - tailored, monitored, reviewed and revised
What factors contribute to determining a patient’s suitability for rehab?
Medically stable
Appropriate supports available (social, family, carers)
Cognition adequate memory & problem-solving skills to allow them to learn new skills
Motivation & mood
Expect performance gains within a timely manner
What are important components of goal setting in rehab?
SMART - specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely
Monitored and reviewed regularly
Include current issues as well as predicted issues and prevention of further possible impairments or their complications
How can goals/progress be monitored?
Barthel, FIM, ICF scales
Assess patient performance across various domains
Measure and quantify performance gains and rehab progress + determine level of funding and care needs
Barthel mainly used in aged care - Dressing, continence and ambulation
FIM specific to rehab setting - Barthel + communication, problem-solving, memory, social behaviour
ICF body functions & structure, environmental factors (barriers & facilitators), activities & participation
What do you need to consider when planning a rehab program?
- Patient suitability
- Where it will take place
- Timing of commencement
- What it will involve and the intensity
- Manage pt and family expectations
- Goal setting
- Early discharge planning and post-discharge therapy planning
What are common cognitive issues in TBI?
Global impairment
Slowed processing of information
Cognitive fatigue
Cognitive overload - irritable/behavioural when overstimulated
Impaired attention & concentration - esp. divided attention
What tools are best for assessing congnition in TBI?
NuCOG, CLQT, Cognistat - validated for TBI and cover good range of cognitive domains
How can you manage cognitive deficits in TBI rehab?
- Education to patient and family about fatigue, behaviour, cognitive deficits, effects of alcohol and drug intake, good sleep hygiene
- Education about driving +/- occupational driving test
- Vocational rehabilitation provider promote return to work or new work opportunities
- Social reengagement
What are common neurological issues in TBI?
- Visual changes hemianopia, diplopia, impaired accommodation
- Anosmia
- Balance/coordination dizziness/vertigo
- Language deficits
Focal neurological deficits uncommon
What are common Medical issues in TBI?
- Mood disorders - common, screen for them
- Spasticity +/- contractures focal or generalised
- Post-traumatic epilepsy increased risk if seizure occurs between 24 hrs – 72 hrs, high risk injury
- Endocrine diabetes insidious, SIADH
- Heterotrophic ossification abnormal bone deposition around joints, causes pain, limits ROM, increases spasticity, conservative Rx (NSAID) or surgery if impairs function
What are common signs of depression in rehab patient?
slowed or stalled rehab progress, refusal to engage in activities, anhedonia, deteriorating cognition
Insomnia, appetite disturbance less common in this group
What are the criteria for mild, moderate, mod-severe & severe head injury and their prediction of impairment and recovery time?
- Mild injury PTA 4 weeks, expect significant disability, permanent deficits certain
What are common long-term lifestyle issues in TBI?
- Difficulty returning to work financial hardship
- Difficulty maintaining or forming personal relationships social support, isolation
- Minimal participation in age-appropriate recreational activities
- Increased strain on family supports
Difficulty living independently in the community
What are the important acute Rx and goals for spinal cord injury?
Prevention of secondary cord damage (if vertebral #) - Careful movement stabilising aids, team, surgical, Halo vest or collar to prevent hyperextension injuries
Neurological assessment and classification of patient to ASIA (American spinal injury association)
Optimise health status and prevent complications associated with immobility
(DVT, Wound Rx, Pressure area monitoring, Nutrition and fluids, bowel and bladder - IDC or acute suprapubic catheter (SPC), diet & fluids and aperients, monitoring & Rx of labile BP, adequate analgesia
Optimise psychosocial status and minimise secondary mood disorder
(Early psychiatry and social work consultation, Monitor mood, early management strategies)