Home   |   Tool Kit   |   Help Us   |   Library   |  News   |   Free Listing

Head Injury Hotline Logo

Rehab Checklist   

Brain Injury Resource Center

A Service of Head Injury Hotline
 Providing Difficult to Find Information
About Head Injury Since 1985
212 Pioneer Bldg.
Seattle, WA 98104-2221
 206-621-8558 
brain@headinjury.com
 http://www.headinjury.com

Copyright © 1998 Head Injury Hotline
Specific Questions:  Rehab Finder Checklist
Our Services:
Case Management
In-service training
Consultation
Referrals
Speakers Bureau
206-621-8558


Donate that Car, get a tax break, 
 
  Instructions: This checklist designed to collect and analyze information on programs and treatments for brain injury rehabilitation. A high number of "yes" responses in each section means a higher probability that the program will be of good quality, provide cost effective services, and meet the needs of the patient and family.  Rehab Facilities

Rehab Checklist Menu 

The Problem  |  About  |  The Premise  |  Goals
  The Process  |  Guiding Principles  |  About Programs
 Read Me  |   Add  A Listing   |   Rehab Team  |   Insurance & Costs
   Rehab Setting  |   Family & Friends  |   Home  |   Overall Impression

Additional Resources

 Therapies & Therapists   |  Doctors  |  Doctor Finder  |  TBI Glossary
   Lawyers   |  Lawyer Checklist  |  Lawyer Finder  |  Law Glossary
Assertiveness  |  Wellness  |  Daily Journal
Advocacy  |  Child  Rights  |  Denial
Feedback  |  Support  |  Anger
   Resources

Program & Procedures
 1. Is the program accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehab Facilities (CARF) and/or the Joint commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)? Check it out Yes   No
 2. What sources of funding does the program accept? 
 3. When was the program founded, and what is its guiding philosophy
 4. Has the facility been operational for at least 5 years? Yes   No
 5. Is the program viewed favorably by the medical and rehabilitation professional community outside the program, i.e.,. awards, citations, etc?  Yes   No
 6. Are programs custom-tailored to meet individual client needs? Yes   No
 7. Does the program provide a daily schedule?
  • What role do patients have in directing the schedule and selecting the program components? 
  • Yes   No
     8. Can client's family members live with the client during his/her
    program when desired or appropriate? 
    Yes   No
     9. Does the program have provisions to address behavioral concerns? Yes   No
    10. May I expect to receive timely progress reports that accurately account for services rendered?  Yes   No
    11. How do you make decisions about who to admit into the program?
    12. Are admission decisions made by clinical versus marketing staff? Yes   No
    13. Will pre-admission evaluations include a thorough review of past  medical/rehabilitative care and treatment?  Yes   No
    14. Will evaluators spend time with me and my and family to truly understand our needs, and rehab goals?  Yes   No
    15. May I have a copy of your policy concerning the rights and responsibilities of participants in this program? 
  • Will you discuss it with me and my family? 
  • Yes   No
    16. If I choose this program, what do you need to do prior to admission? 
  • How long will that take? 
  • What do you need me to do? 
  • Yes   No
    17. Will I be allowed to spend a day or so observing the program? Yes   No
    18. Will you arrange for me and my family to speak with former patients? Yes   No
    19. What forms or contracts am I expected to sign prior to admission? 
  • Will you give me a copy of each to read thoroughly before I sign? 
  • Yes   No
    20. May I count on frequent communication after admission.  Yes   No
    21. If I choose this program, will you get previous medical and other important (i.e., school) records and other information you may need in order to decide?  Yes   No
    22. Will the evaluation include a detailed projection of  program cost and outcome goals? Yes   No
    23. Will the evaluation include objective, quantifiable goals for the
    program to be evaluated against? 
    Yes   No
    24. Will progress reports be individualized, with objective quantifiable goals in all disciplines? Yes   No
    25. Is the program responsive to the requests of the case manager?
  • Does it solicit programing input from patient, and family
  • Yes   No
    26. Will the evaluation specify the length of time the program would take to accomplish the goals stated in the evaluation?  Yes   No
    27. Will the evaluation include an assessment of special needs upon discharge i.e., such as housing, job coach, vocational rehab, recreational, attendant care, social services, nursing home, parent's home?  Yes   No
    28. Are the progress reports, charts, medical records and therapy documentation accessible upon request?  Yes   No
    29. What is the average length of stay? 
    30. Will you provide me with a proposed service or treatment plan before I decide.  Yes   No
    31. Will you coordinate with the program or service I am in now to facilitate a smooth admission and transition? Yes   No
    32. What is your understanding of the role my of funding source in the decision-making process about the program I select?
    33. What is your understanding of my role in the decision-making process about the program I select?
    34. What is your program's greatest strength?
    35. What distinguishes your program from its nearest competitor?
    36. What is your program's worst failing?
    37. In an ideal world what would you change about the program?
    38. What is your program's greatest success story?
    39. How many of your patients realize their rehab goals?
    40. What is your program's worst failing?
    41. What is the average outcome? 
    42. What is the average length of treatment?
    43. What type of follow up programs and services do you offer?
    44. What is your staff to patient ratio?


    The Rehab Team
      1 What are the qualifications of the members of the rehab team that would be assigned to my case? Does it employ:
      2
  • Neuropsychology staff?
  • Yes   No
      3
  • Clinical Psychology staff?
  • Yes   No
      4
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling staff?
  • Yes   No
      5
  • Registered or Licensed Vocational staff 
  • Yes   No
      6
  • Practical Nursing staff?
  • Yes   No
      7
  • Recreational Therapy staff?
  • Yes   No
      8
  • Physical Therapy staff?
  • Yes   No
      9
  • Occupational Therapy staff? 
  • Yes   No
    10
  • Speech/Language Pathology staff?
  • Yes   No
    11
  • Educational Therapy staff?
  • Yes   No
    12
  • Social Services staff, case management staff?
  • Yes   No
    13. Do the licensed professional provide more than half the treatments for his/her discipline? Yes   No
    14. Does the program have a core of senior therapeutic and clinical management staff with more than 5 years treatment experience?  Yes   No
    15. Does the above mentioned staff hold professional licensure? 
    If so, are these licenses available for review? 
    Yes   No
    16. Is the majority of therapy conducted on a one-to-one basis? Yes   No
    17. Is senior management and treating staff readily available for
    consultation or to answer your questions?
    Yes   No
    18. Does the program employ rather than use contract therapy and medical staff?  Yes   No
    19. Does the program regularly obtain medical consultation for client health issues?  Yes   No
    20. Does the program have a medical director? Yes   No
    21. Will my personal physician be included in providing medical services while I am in the program? Yes   No
    22. How does the program handle medical emergencies?  Yes   No
    23. Will your doctors monitors medications and medication interactions? 
    Yes   No
    Insurance Matters & Program Costs
     1. What agreement does the program have with my funding source?
     2. What is the daily cost of the program?
     3. What does this include (room & board, medications, physician services, therapy, transportation, etc.)?
     4. What is billed extra (i.e., special diet, telephone, internet laundry, bed hold fees)?
     5. How are charges calculated (i.e., per diem, per unit)? 
     6. Who is billed for services my funding source will not pay for?
    The Rehab Setting
     1. Does the facility have an out-patient program? Yes   No
     2. Do you provide follow up services in the home, the school and the job? Yes   No
     3. Is therapy performed in a residential or clinical setting? What are the differences between the two models and why do you believe one is more effective over the other. Yes   No
     4. Is therapy conducted in community settings, i.e., field trips, work and or school settings, shopping malls, etc? Yes   No
     5. Is the program designed to prepare the client for the intended discharge setting, i.e. return to home, school, and/or work?  Yes   No
     6. How is person's ability to get around and to use community services and resources evaluated and addressed ? Yes   No
     7. What local resources are used by the program to address the needs of the individual? Yes   No
     8. What do people generally do during unscheduled times?
     9. How is the need for specialized adaptive equipment identified? How is the equipment provided and paid for? Yes   No
       
    Family & Friends
    1. How does your program involve family members and friends? Yes   No
    2. Are family members and friends involved in team meetings? Yes   No
    3. What kind of family training, support groups and therapy is offered? Is there a charge for participation?  Yes   No
    4. What is your policy about visitors?  Yes   No
    5. How does your program address changes in sexual functioning and intimacy? Yes   No
    Home
    1.
    Will I receive a written plan upon discharge that addresses issues, such as housing, job coach, vocational rehab and counseling, recreational, social services, nursing home, parent's home? Yes   No
    2.
    Once we return home, work, and/or school what type of personal and/or attendant services will necessary? Yes   No
    3.
    How are the services provided and paid for? Yes   No
    4.
    What type of adaptive equipment will necessary? Yes   No
    5.
    How is the equipment provided and paid for? Yes   No
    6.
    What type of home modifications will necessary? Yes   No
    7.
    How are the home modifications provided and paid for? Yes   No
    8.
    Once we return home, work, and/or school what type of special accommodations will necessary? Yes   No
    9.
    Does your program provide for respite services? Yes   No
    10. Does your program provide resources and services for caregivers. Yes   No
    11. Will your doctors continue to monitor my medications following discharge?  Yes   No
    12. Will your team work with my schools, employers, and/or social service agencies? Yes   No
    13. Will your program provide periodic postprogram follow-up sessions to reinforce the usage of compensatory mechanisms? Yes   No
    14. Will your team assist us with the transition to the home environment including behavioral and mood problems? Yes   No
    Overall Impressions
    1.
    Did the evaluation provide you with more information than you had before the evaluation?  Yes   No
    2. How did the program rate in areas of your primary concerns?
    3. What are your greatest reservations concerning this program and how will you resolve them?
    4. Total Yes's
    5. Total No's
    6. Overall impressions? 
    Admission Process?
    Program - relative to rehab goals?
    Rehab Team - expertise, philosophy & compatibility?
    Administration and client assistance features?
    Rehab Setting - appearance, accommodations, & Location?
    Involvement of patient, friends & family?

     
    Head Injury Hotline: Providing Difficult to Find  Information  About Head  Injury  Since 1985
    Back to Topup arrow


    Bright Ideasbrain@headinjury.com


    Copyright © 1998 Head Injury Hotline