Inspired Spinal Cord Injury Support Forum

bumbleb
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 3, 2017 11:38:57 GMT -8

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Post by bumbleb on Sept 3, 2017 11:38:57 GMT -8

Hi all,

Very glad to find this forum. 2 weeks ago my Dad lost balance in the garage and injured his neck. He had spinal surgery and was considered C4/C5 incomplete injury. He is now quadriplegic with some arm movement.

Because he is in Reno Nevada (a small city), the local acute rehab hospital seems to have nice staff, but not a ton of experience with SCI cases. I know specialized SCI rehab centers like Craig in Colorado (relatively close to Reno) and Spaulding in Boston (where my home is) are very acclaimed. But I'm hoping to research the difference in the kind of therapy he would receive in those centers vs this ordinary local rehab. At best, I may be able to negotiate with his medical insurance to transfer him, at least I hope to give suggestions to his local PT and OT.

As such, does anyone have a good PT/OT contact who specialize in SCI that I can talk to? If you personally have experience receiving these therapy, I'd be grateful for some advice as well.

Thanks a ton in advance!
-Bei

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califanna Member Posts: 190 Post Likes Received: 263 Date Joined: December 2016 Injury: Spinal Cord Injured T-10 Date Injured: 1994 Member is: Offline Send PM	First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 3, 2017 20:33:10 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by califanna on Sept 3, 2017 20:33:10 GMT -8 The snowman on here is a great contact. He used to work for Project Walk in Carlsbad, California and now he runs his own Physical Therapy operation. I highly suggest you reach out to him.
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jaylock
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 4:08:38 GMT -8

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Post by jaylock on Sept 4, 2017 4:08:38 GMT -8

I don't know of any PTs you can reach out to, but my best advice is to get your dad into one of the specialty units as soon as you can. General rehab places are great for hip replacement or amputee rehab, but SCI is much more difficult and complicated. Spaulding in Boston has a great rep. I'm trying to get hooked up there at the moment with a referral. Good luck to you and your family. Let us know how you make out.

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annev308
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 7:24:30 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

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Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 7:24:30 GMT -8

He will get far more knowledgeable and creative PT and OT at specialized rehabs. It makes a huge difference, not just in staff knowledge and skills but also in equipment - both what they've got in the gyms and what they know about DME. If he's looking for specialized outpatient, I had excellent experiences at Neuroworx in SLC.

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bumbleb
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 8:46:35 GMT -8

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Post by bumbleb on Sept 4, 2017 8:46:35 GMT -8

Sept 4, 2017 4:08:38 GMT -8 jaylock said:

I don't know of any PTs you can reach out to, but my best advice is to get your dad into one of the specialty units as soon as you can. General rehab places are great for hip replacement or amputee rehab, but SCI is much more difficult and complicated. Spaulding in Boston has a great rep. I'm trying to get hooked up there at the moment with a referral. Good luck to you and your family. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks, jaylock. I've been told that the best way to get insurance to agree to specialized rehab is to be specific about what they do at specialized SCI that is not done at normal rehab. That's part of the reason I'm trying to collect info/specifics on the therapy difference.

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annev308 Junior Member Posts: 70 Post Likes Received: 91 Date Joined: December 2016 Member is: Offline Send PM	First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 9:49:02 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 9:49:02 GMT -8 Care for neurogenic bowel and bladder; FES bike, arm bike and rowing; standing frame; lokomat. Also folks with enough knowledge/skill/experience to prioritize learning.
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wchunter
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 10:48:11 GMT -8

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Post by wchunter on Sept 4, 2017 10:48:11 GMT -8

I would contact the social worker in the hospital where your father is and ask them to do a referral for you. The social worker should have a wealth of knowledge and contacts to assist you and your father in finding the best placement for his rehab

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califanna
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 13:34:43 GMT -8

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Post by califanna on Sept 4, 2017 13:34:43 GMT -8

Sept 4, 2017 8:46:35 GMT -8 bumbleb said:

Sept 4, 2017 4:08:38 GMT -8 jaylock said:

I don't know of any PTs you can reach out to, but my best advice is to get your dad into one of the specialty units as soon as you can. General rehab places are great for hip replacement or amputee rehab, but SCI is much more difficult and complicated. Spaulding in Boston has a great rep. I'm trying to get hooked up there at the moment with a referral. Good luck to you and your family. Let us know how you make out.

Thanks, jaylock. I've been told that the best way to get insurance to agree to specialized rehab is to be specific about what they do at specialized SCI that is not done at normal rehab. That's part of the reason I'm trying to collect info/specifics on the therapy difference.

The biggest difference from an ordinary rehab center and a specialized center is the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF accreditation) symbol. Those centers with CARF accreditation have to pass an internal examination of its program and business practices. By utilizing the search feature on the CARF website you can find out what services are offered at each Rehab facility. However, some Rehab Facilities such as Craig Hospital (Denver, CO) don't ascribe to a CARF affiliation, while Shepherd Center (Atlanta, GA) does believe in the accreditation and has the following accreditations:

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs - Hospital Brain Injury Specialty Program Adults Three-Year Accreditation

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs - Hospital Brain Injury Specialty Program Children and Adolescents Three-Year Accreditation

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs - Hospital Spinal Cord System of Care Adults Three-Year Accreditation

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs - Hospital Spinal Cord System of Care Children and Adolescents Three-Year Accreditation

Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs - Hospital Stroke Specialty Program Adults Three-Year Accreditation

Interdisciplinary Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs Spinal Cord System of Care Adults Three-Year Accreditation

Interdisciplinary Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs Spinal Cord System of Care Children and Adolescents Three-Year Accreditation

CARF Link: www.carf.org/providerSearch.aspx

However, a great article on how Craig and Shepherd are working together is found here: craighospital.org/blog/craig-and-sherpherd-partner-to-improve-patient-care

Another resource is a book recently published about So. California service providers and the first 90 days after injury called SCI: The First 90 Days by Sam Maddox; which you can get free of charge off of the Cure Medical Website.

curemedical.com/for-the-cure-nation-first-90-days-with-spinal-cord-injury/

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annev308
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 4, 2017 19:32:04 GMT -8 via Inspired Mobile

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Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 19:32:04 GMT -8

You can also just call Craig,TIRR or Shepherd admissions for guidance. They will also help battle insurance as necessary. Shepherd likes or used to like/require a referral from medical staff. TIRR doesn't require it - you can self-refer or refer a family member. I'm not sure about Craig, but they used to do a pre-admit interview with the patient and the family.

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beachtodisney New Member Posts: 8 Post Likes Received: 7 Date Joined: December 2016 Injury: T11-12 Date Injured: May 2012 Member is: Offline Send PM	First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs? Sept 5, 2017 10:37:24 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by beachtodisney on Sept 5, 2017 10:37:24 GMT -8 I recommend John Weir at Las Vegas Paralysis Recovery Recovery. lvparalysisrecovery.com/
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First Post - experienced SCI PT Contact at SCI ctrs?

Post by bumbleb on Sept 3, 2017 11:38:57 GMT -8

Post by califanna on Sept 3, 2017 20:33:10 GMT -8

Post by jaylock on Sept 4, 2017 4:08:38 GMT -8

Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 7:24:30 GMT -8

Post by bumbleb on Sept 4, 2017 8:46:35 GMT -8

Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 9:49:02 GMT -8

Post by wchunter on Sept 4, 2017 10:48:11 GMT -8

Post by califanna on Sept 4, 2017 13:34:43 GMT -8

Post by annev308 on Sept 4, 2017 19:32:04 GMT -8

Post by beachtodisney on Sept 5, 2017 10:37:24 GMT -8

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