The purposes of our Model System are: to develop and test the effectiveness of several innovative treatment strategies for people with (TBI); to evaluate the benefits of a well-designed, coordinated, comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and multilevel continuum of care designed to lead to improved outcomes for all persons with TBI; to participate in the National TBI Database; to engage in dissemination of educational and other materials on TBI to people with TBI and their families, professionals who care for patients with TBI, and the public; and to collaborate with the Brain Injury Association of Illinois and other NIDRR-funded centers as appropriate. These activities are expected to influence clinical TBI management and health care policy, to improve the functional outcomes, and to facilitate community participation of people with TBI.
These objectives will be achieved through a multidimensional approach that focuses on conducting two site-specific research projects, participating in at least one multisite collaborative project, providing comprehensive and coordinated care through a multilevel and interdisciplinary continuum of care for people with TBI, measuring the results of that continuum and systematically evaluating those results.
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is well positioned to meet these objectives. For several decades, RIC has been a national leader in rehabilitation research and innovation. Further, our Brain Injury Medicine and Rehabilitation Program has distinguished itself in providing excellent patient care services, a broad range of educational opportunities for clinicians, and advocacy for TBI survivors. Through the combined efforts of medical professionals, researchers, educators, and community partners, this program has been ensuring high quality, comprehensive care for persons with brain injuries from the time of hospitalization following injury to ultimate return and reintegration into the community.
RIC has had a specialized inpatient clinical program in Brain Injury Medicine for more than 20 years. In the fall of 2003, a new inpatient Brain Injury unit was opened, designed with TBI survivors’ and clinicians’ input, with the goal of providing an optimal milieu for TBI survivors and their families. The choice of environmental features, including calming design elements and the capability of video monitoring, as well as the interdisciplinary integration of therapy provided on the Unit are examples of physical enhancements to support patient care.
Integrated, interdisciplinary care for persons with TBI has been extended to other levels of care. This is reflected in our network of outpatient and Day Rehabilitation Centers. Care for patients with TBI in our system is a collaborative effort, involving Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center. During the past 5 years, the Traumatic Brain Injury program has seen significant growth, with a doubling of inpatient admissions over this time period and with the opening of additional Day Rehab care sites throughout the region.
While the focus of the TBI program has been on clinical excellence, RIC has a wealth of research expertise in many areas relevant to TBI research. These include the Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, and the Sensory Motor Performance Program, a program which has been doing cutting edge research in the areas of motor control and spasticity assessment.
Through these and many other resources, our Model System initiatives can be expected to have a beneficial impact on people with TBI, their families and communities, professionals who provide care for people with TBI, and the public in general.