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Inpatient Spinal Cord Program

Cardinal Hill’s Spinal Cord Program was established in 1978.  Accredited by CARF*, this program is devoted to treating individuals who have experienced a traumatic or non-traumatic spinal cord injury. 
 Spinal Cord Injury Program Flyer

 Acute Ventilator Program

 Child and Adolescent Program Brochure

Cardinal Hill’s state-of-the-art facility and team of caring professionals support each patient and family’s recovery and progress with the goal to help each patient return to the most independent life possible.  Each patient works with health care professionals who are experts in their field of care.

The Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Team

For a smooth transition to inpatient rehabilitation, the spinal cord injury team maintains communication with referring physicians, while focusing on the patient’s rehabilitative needs.  In addition to the Patient, Family and Caregiver, members of the treatment team may include:
     •  Physician
     •  Rehabilitation Nurse
     •  Physical Therapist
     •  Occupational Therapist
     •  Speech Language Pathologist
     •  Respiratory Therapist
     •  Certified School Teacher
     •  Care Manager/ Social Worker
     •  Neuropsychologist
     •  Psychologist
     •  Dietician
     •  Pharmacist
     •  Chaplain

Family members are included in the treatment team, and we encourage active family participation as the patient works to achieve functional goals.

A rehabilitation physician and nurse are available 24 hours a day, attending to each patient daily.  Every patient is treated as an individual while working to achieve personal rehabilitation goals. Individual counseling, support groups, family education and referrals for community resources are all available.  Family support is a key element in successful rehabilitation experience.

Program Features

Along with Medical Management, the plan of care may include:

     •  Innovative Technology and Equipment
     •  Adjustment Counseling
     •  Wound and skin care
     •  Diet and Medication Teaching
     •  Sexuality Counseling
     •  Customized Wheelchair Seating and Orthotics
     •  Therapeutic Community Reentry Activities
     •  Driving Evaluation
     •  Home Management Training
     •  Prevocational Evaluation
     •  Home and Work Evaluation
     •  Peer Support Program
     •  Aquatic Therapy
     •  Recreational  and Sport Activities

*CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served.

Inpatient Program Outcomes

Cardinal Hill consistently achieves higher outcome scores than the national averages for rehabilitation services.

Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Statistics:

•  The Spinal Cord Injury Program treats an average of 150 patients annually on an inpatient basis.
•  Average length of stay on the Spinal Cord Unit is 22 days.  Length of stay depends on the individual’s needs.

 Spinal Cord Program Outcomes 2010

Overall Cardinal Hill Inpatient Outcomes*:

•  Patients experience a 58.7% average increase in functional abilities from admission to discharge; the national rate is 56.2%.
•  Rate of discharge to the community is 80.7%; the national rate is 70.7%.
*Outcomes vary according to the diagnosis

Follow-up Services

As discharge from the inpatient phase approaches, the team recommends a plan for ongoing rehabilitation. A follow - up visit with a Cardinal Hill physician may be scheduled, and the physician Discharge Summary is sent to referring physicians in acute care and to primary care physicians at home.  Referrals are made for home health or outpatient therapy services according to the individual’s needs.  For patients planning to return to school, the team works with local school staff to ensure a successful transition back to the academic setting.  At the time of discharge, changes may be recommended in the patient’s general medical management, home program or home equipment.

Cardinal Hill provides a full range of services to accommodate entry into the rehabilitation process at any level of treatment after a spinal cord injury diagnosis.  In addition to the inpatient program, services include:

     •  Outpatient Therapy
     •  Intensive Medical Day Program
     •  Outpatient Medical Clinic
     •  Home Health Care
     •  Community Reentry Program
     •  Seating and Mobility Clinic

To make a referral or for more information call (859) 367-7120

Located in the scenic Bluegrass Region of Lexington, KY, Cardinal Hill is known as the region’s premier physical rehabilitation hospital.  For thousands of patients we treat, the most important accomplishments of our services are the result we produce.

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Current Spinal Cord Research Projects at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital

Community Partnerships

Kentucky Appalachian Rural Rehabilitation Network (KARRN)
KARRN is a network of people with neurologic issues (spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury), health care providers, educators, researchers and other community members committed to the health and well being of people with neurologic impairments who live in the Appalachian region. Cardinal Hill is proud to be a founding member of KARRN.  Please visit the KARRN website for more information.  The link is located under the Related Information tab below.

Kentucky AgrAbility
Cardinal Hill is a partner with the University of Kentucky AgrAbility program. AgrAbility is designed to help farmers keep farming after illness and injury. AgrAbility provides services such as: on-farm help like modifying equipment and tools, help finding financial support for assistive technology and farm modifications, and educational programs for farmers. Please visit the AgrAbility website for more information.  The link is located under the Related Information tab below.

For additional information, look under the Related Information tab below.