Rehab Checklist

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Specific Questions: Rehab Finder Checklist

From The Ashes:
A Brain Injury Survivor's Guide

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

Rehab Team

Insurance & Costs

Rehab Setting

Family & Friends

Home

Overall Impression

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	Program & Procedures

1.	Is the program accredited by the Com- mission 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?	Yes No
3.	When was the program founded, and what is its guiding philosophy	Yes No
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 in- dividual 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?	Yes No
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 con- cerning 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 t he 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 sage 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?

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