Baltimore, MD 21207
1-888-4KERNAN (453-7626)
Programs and Services
Amputee Rehabilitation Program
About the Amputee Rehabilitation Program
For patients with vascular disease or those with a traumatic injury due to the loss of a limb, the Amputee Rehabilitation Program at Kernan Hospital offers compassionate, state-of-the-art care in a comfortable setting.
As patients progress through the program, they gain the strength and confidence they need to perform basic daily living skills and pursue active, independent lifestyles.
The Interdisciplinary Team
When they arrive, patients are evaluated by a dedicated, experienced, interdisciplinary team. Once this initial assessment is complete, the team meets to coordinate care, develop an individualized treatment plan, set rehabilitation goals and establish a projected discharge date.
Depending on the patient's unique needs, the members of his or her interdisciplinary team may include physicians with specialty training in physical medicine and rehabilitation; neurologists; certified rehabilitation nurses; case managers; physical, occupational, recreational and respiratory therapists; speech-language pathologists; clinical dietitians; psychologists; and a prosthetist/orthotist.
A Comprehensive Treatment Approach
During their stay, patients receive a combination of treatment protocols, such as medical intervention, intensive physical rehabilitation and psychosocial support.
For most patients, the rehabilitation process includes the following interventions to support optimal recovery and help them resume work-, home- and community-related activities:
- Comprehensive mobility instruction
- Functional living practice (i.e. helping patients make necessary adjustments to their daily living routines)
- Pre-prosthetic exercises and mobility training
- Custom-fitting and ongoing assessment and adjustment of prosthetic devices
- Post-surgical care
- Wound healing
- Peer counseling
- Patient and family support groups
- Community reintegration and Adaptive Recreation Program
- Referral to the Amputee Clinic to address future prosthetic needs
Evaluating A Patient's Progress and Care
Each patient's interdisciplinary team holds weekly meetings to discuss and evaluate his or her progress and care.
Family Involvement
Family members and designated caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in their loved one's rehabilitation process. Patient education and therapy sessions, both of which are always open to families and caregivers, offer excellent opportunities to learn more about a patient's condition and progress.
The Role of the Case Mangager
The case manager is the link between the family and the members of the patient's interdisciplinary team. He or she keeps families informed about their loved one's progress and helps them make important discharge preparations. The case manager also serves as the point of contact for insurance issues, working closely with the family and insurer to identify and address any potential problems.
Follow-Up Care
Patients requiring follow-up care will be referred to a Kernan Hospital outpatient facility located in Baltimore or Anne Arundel County.
Education:
To support the recovery process, the following educational sessions may be offered to patients:
- Dietary issues
- Diabetic foot care
- Long-term prosthesis care
- Skin care
- Risk factor identification and medical complications prevention
- Adaptive equipment
- Edema management
- Recreation and leisure
Kernan Hospital is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities as a Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation Program and by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.