In and Out-Patient Services
IN-PATIENT THERAPY PROGRAMME
According to the Cochrane Review Rev (2007), stroke patients who receive inpatient care within a designated stroke facility are ‘more likely to be alive, independent and living at home one year post the stroke’. At Groenkloof Hospital we have a designated stroke and neurological unit, whereby a multidisciplinary team of specialised professionals provide a full spectrum of care which extends from admission to the Specialised Intensive Care Unit (SICU), progressing to our neuro-ward (St Francis ward) and then extended therapy care on an out-patient basis. Neuro-therapy approaches commence from day 1 as we aim to use the brain’s plasticity following the neurological event to maximise recovery.
Specialised Intensive Care Unit (SICU) or High Care
Within 24 hours of admission to the hospital, our dedicated team of therapists commence therapy. Patients with complex medical problems are admitted to the SICU and high care units. The main focus includes, but is not limited to respiratory care, positioning and safe feeding, but also cognitive and sensory stimulation. The team assists with prevention of secondary complications, ensuring a holistic approach to the critically ill patient. Once medically stable the patient is transferred to one of our medical wards or our Neuro ward, St Francis.
Rehabilitation Gym and Therapy Rooms
Our friendly, sunny gym and dedicated therapists, endeavour to lift the patients’ morale and motivate them in their rehabilitation. The benefit of peer support has proven to be very positive and encouraging to our patients.
Family meetings
A formal family meeting is arranged, where needed, with the family and the relevant therapists to discuss progress, future treatment goals, equipment needs and discharge planning. This gives families the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns.
Family and carer training
When patients are discharged home from hospital, family and carer training sessions are offered as required. Carers and families can be trained in aspects of the patient’s care needs, including feeding, positioning, rolling, transfers, mobility, self-care tasks and communication guidelines. The focus is always to optimize and maintain the patient’s independence and reduce the burden of care for both patient and caregiver.
St Francis acute, neurological ward
St Francis is the acute, neurological ward of Groenkloof Hospital. Here the trained therapists work in collaboration with the nursing staff to enable the patient to regain functional independence.
Key Therapist
Each patient is allocated a team member as their key therapist. The role of key therapist is to liase with the patient, their family and other team members. Communication is vital in the rehabilitation process.
Discharge Planning
Outlining a plan for discharge is essential in developing each rehabilitation programme, especially in an acute hospital setting. Collaboration with the patient and their family occurs from admission to identify any potential difficulties and to ensure that all ongoing care, support and therapy needs are met. Discharge planning to one’s home, a rehabilitation or step-down facility is carefully arranged.
Weekly Goal Directed Team Meetings
Team meetings are held bi-weekly to discuss our inpatients. The team attending the academic ward round includes our 3 treating neurologists, physiotherapists, occupational and speech-language therapists, psychologist, social worker, dietician and the nursing manager of the St Francis ward. Therapy team meetings serve to set individualised and team goals for each patient for the ensuing week as we aim to treat all patients holistically.
OUT-PATIENT THERAPY PROGRAMME
We offer a comprehensive out-patient therapy programme comprising of Physiotherapy, Occupational and Speech therapy under one roof.
Our extremely competent rehabilitation receptionist will assist with all appointments and will answer any administrative questions.
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Patients visit our facility for out-patient treatment from all over the city, across the country and abroad. The frequency of treatments depends on the individual’s needs and is determined at assessment and re-evaluated on an on-going basis.
We are indeed truly blessed having the dedicated professional staff of RehabWorx who, with their always smiling greetings and patience, has made a difficult road a lot easier to travel. My special thanks go to Retha, Nerisha and Nikki who were directly involved in the treatment of my wife, for their kindness and professional work and attitude and we wish them and RehabWorx every success.
S Hughes