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0 6❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E THE SPECIALISTS AND SUBSPECIALISTS IN THE CARFžACCREDITED SPINAL CORD INJURY REHABILITATION PROGRAM AT HELEN HAYES HOSPITAL LEVERAGE COMPREHENSIVE, PERSONALIZED THERAPIES, ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, AND WIDEžRANGING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES TO GENERATE EXCELLENT OUTCOMES. AS A LARGE specialty physical rehabili- tation hospital for over 117 years, Helen Hayes Hospital recognizes that patients who have sustained spinal cord injuries benefit from being able to access a full continuum of ca re in one location. It is among few facilities that follow SCI patients from acute rehab care to home and beyond, enabling these individuals to regain maximum mobility and function- ing and return to home, school and work, leading productive and independent lives. CRAFTING A CARE PLAN In a dd it ion to causi n g l i fe-a lter i n g cond it ion s such a s qua d r ipleg i a or pa rapleg ia , spina l cord injuries may aœect the respiratory, digestive, excretory, cardiovascular and other systems. Some patients require ventilator management and wound care as well. When inpatients arrive at Helen Hayes Hospital's 24-bed specialty unit dedicated to patients with spinal cord injuries, they undergo a thor- ough evaluation. Once patients' needs are assessed, clinicians begin their therapy regimens immediately. " L y i n g i n b e d i s n o t w h a t t h e body is mea nt to do," says Victor ia Lent, MD, Director of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital. "Patients can become deconditioned very quickly. Muscles weaken, the bowels and bladder can stop functioning normally, a nd ot her issues may a r ise. Idea l ly, therapy should begin during acute care." To i nd iv idu a l ly t a i lor t her a pie s for patients, t he Spina l Cord Injur y Rehabilitation Prog ra m has brought together a collaborative team of sub- specialists, including a multidisciplinary roster of physicians, along with rehabili- tation nurses, therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, case managers and more. "Everyone plays a crucial role — from pulmonologists and respiratory thera- pists who address ventilator weaning to assistive technology specialists who ca n dev i se env i ron ment a l cont rols and computer access options," Dr. Lent ex pla ins. " With a n ex tensive, inter- disciplinary team, we're able to ma ke a patient's transition from hospita l to home a smooth one." Courses of treatment include intensive physical, speech and occupational therapy. Inpatients undergo at least three hours of VICTORIA LENT, MD The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program at Helen Hayes Hospital BY JOSH GARCIA PHOTOS © DON DEMPSEY, WHITE LIGHT/SPARTINA STUDIOS Victoria Lent, MD, Director of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation at Helen Hayes Hospital, and Matthew Castelluccio, Coordinator of the hospital's Adapted Sports & Recreation and Peer Mentoring programs, discuss available options for adapted kayaking. The hospital's indoor warm-water aquatic facility is available for inpatient and outpatient therapies as well as wellness programs, including kayak stability evaluations for the Adapted Sports & Recreation Program.