Adding Quality to Life
Exceeds national & regional averages for discharging patients home from
CARF accredited rehab units.
The Center has proudly served Southern California since 1970 and is a full-service, comprehensive rehabilitation program suited to treat patients of all ages who have suffered catastrophic or debilitating injury or illness. Since Northridge Hospital is a designated Adult & Pediatric Trauma Center, we often treat rehabilitation patients from the point of injury. We also accept patient referrals nationwide. For inpatient services call 818-700-5648, and for outpatient services call 818-885-5334.
Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine helps patients regain abilities and control of their lives. We offer treatment for all major disabling conditions, including
spinal cord, brain injury, stroke, multiple trauma, amputation, neurological disorders, arthritis, and orthopedic problems.
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Special programs for spinal cord injury, brain injury, stroke and multiple trauma are offered by the Center. The goal of our rehabilitation program is to deliver exceptional patient care to
maximize each individual’s skills
and independence. This is accomplished under the direction of
Board-certified physiatrists
and the skills of the entire Care Team who evaluate each patient and develop an integrated treatment plan that addresses individual needs. The holistic approach of treating patients within the context of family and community best enables them to resume as normal a life as possible.
Family members and partners in care receive extensive education and training
to care for their loved ones and are encouraged to observe and participate in treatment. Support is also provided by our
Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke
Support
Groups.
Accreditation
The Joint Commission (TJC) accredits the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) also accredits the Center for Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehabilitation, Spinal Cord Injury System of Care and the Brain Injury Programs.
Personalized Care
Ten years ago, Los Angeles TV KABC Reporter Adrienne Alpert made national headlines when her news van’s microwave dish hit a power line causing severe electrical burns. A quadruple amputee, Adrienne lost most of her left arm and right leg, and a portion of her right hand and left foot.
Adrienne spent 65 days at the Grossman Burn Center before transferring to the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine at Northridge Hospital Medical Center for treatment. During therapy, Adrienne prepared to receive two prostheses: One for her left hand and forearm and another for her right leg from the knee down. She then spent four months at the Center receiving Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy and Driver Preparation.
“Under the direction of Thomas Hedge, MD, my treatment was tailored to my personal and specific needs,” she remembers. “The rehabilitation team inspired me to work harder for myself because they seemed so invested in getting me back on my feet. It was completely enveloping. In fact, it was hard to go back home to face the real challenges in everyday life because my care was so tailored to me at the Center.”
Seven months after the accident, she returned to work with help from an assistant is now thriving as a reporter and host of KABC’s Eyewitness Newsmakers. Read more of her story.
Community Re-Entry Therapy
During our weekly community re-entry therapy, an interdisciplinary treatment team helps patients return to routine activities such as going to the mall, grocery shopping, and eating at a restaurant. This therapy gives patients an opportunity to apply skills learned during their rehabilitation while focusing on safety and independence.
Therapists help patients to improve physical skills, memory, problem solving, social skills and time management. For easy access, patients are transported into the community in an air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible van with an electric wheelchair lift. For information, please call 818-885-5460.
Driver Preparation
We are the only hospital-based program in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. We provide comprehensive evaluation and training to individuals with physical, cognitive and/or perceptual disorders, which may interfere with the ability to drive safely. After an evaluation by an occupational therapist and a certified driving instructor, patients are trained to work with or compensate for their disabilities. Car and van evaluations are both available. The need for adaptive equipment is based upon evaluation, and assistance is provided to obtain all necessary adaptive equipment. For information, please call 818-885-5460.
Hand Rehabilitation is for individuals with upper extremity injuries and dysfunction. A personalized treatment plan is designed for each patient based on an evaluation by an occupational therapist with specialized training in hand rehabilitation. A full continuum of services emphasizes returning to the previous level of ability from the first onset of injury, which includes returning to work or the maximum level of activity. For information, please call 818-885-5330.
Occupational Therapy uses meaningful, functional activities to help patients become as independent as possible in self-care and other daily activities. The home environment is assessed as recommended by the therapy team. For information, please call 818-885-5460.
Physical Therapy restores maximum function through increasing mobility and strength and decreasing pain. Treatment may include: gait training; wheelchair skills; therapeutic exercise; pain relief modalities; muscle re-education; mobility training; pool therapy; and other appropriate treatment techniques. For information, please call 818-885-5334.
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Pet Therapy provides inpatients with a special opportunity to interact with dogs that are certified by Therapy Dogs, Inc. or the Delta Society. These dogs are well trained, good natured and enjoy attention. Often, abilities not seen in structured therapy may become evident while interacting with the animals. The program promotes positive emotions and helps patients progress in the areas of communication, cognition, activities of daily living and mobility. For information, please call 818-885-5327, or view our new video "Paging All Dog-tors".
Psychology
Psychological services, both inpatient and outpatient, provide assessment, support and counseling to patients and their families. The goal is to help them adjust to the disability and stress that result from changes in the patient-family relationship. In addition to psychotherapeutic and counseling services, a full array of neuro-psychological tests is available to establish standardized data about cognitive deficits. For information, please call 818-885-5334.
Rehabilitation Nurses
Our excellent nursing staff is comprised of Nationally Certified Rehabilitation nurses who provide 24-hour nursing care and ongoing patient education. Their expertise not only supports the patient during the acute medical phase, but also assists patients and their families as they prepare for a smooth transition back into the home setting. For information please call 818-885-8500, ext. 3634.
Rehabilitation Physicians/Physiatrists
Physiatrists specialize in the area of rehabilitative medicine. They provide overall supervision of the medical and rehabilitative care of all inpatients and are on call 24-hours-a-day. For discharged patients, continued medical follow-up is provided by appointment on an outpatient basis. For information, please call
818-885-5342.
Spiritual Care
Northridge Hospital respects and affirms the values of all religious and spiritual paths. Spiritual Care Services offer a compassionate, supportive and objective ear. We believe that the healing process includes the body, mind and spirit. You can reach Spiritual Care at 818-885-5352.
Social Services helps patients and their families cope with the stresses of disability through psycho-social counseling, support groups, discharge planning and information about community resources. Support groups include Brain Injury, Stroke, Chronic Pain and Spinal Cord Injury. For information, please call 818-885-5334.
Speech Therapy provides diagnostic and therapeutic services for adults with speech, language, cognitive, hearing and swallowing disorders. These services are coordinated with the physician, patient, family, school and community agencies. For more information, please call 818-885-5334.
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Therapeutic Recreation helps patients regain the ability to engage in leisure and recreational activities at home and in their community. A wide range of challenging and enjoyable opportunities are offered such as art, sports and outdoor activities. We provide patients and their families with information on available resources in their community.
Wheelchair Sports provides an important aspect of the rehabilitation experience for people with spinal cord injuries. It is designed to help men, women and teens with permanent disabilities live more active and productive lives.
Wheelchair Sports can play a critical role in a person’s psychological well-being in addition to physical benefits, which include toning, strengthening, increasing aerobic capacity and improving overall health. Just as importantly, it can motivate an individual who has led a very isolated life to participate with others who have had similar experiences.
We offer a range of sports activities – all of which share the proud “Northridge Knights” team name. The program includes teams such as wheelchair hockey, wheelchair tennis and quad rugby. For information, please call 818-885-8500, ext. 3610.
Family & Caregivers
In-Room Family Stays
Our focus is on patient/family centered care and welcomes one designated care partner to stay in the patient’s room. Having a family member or care partner near contributes to the healing process for the patient. We encourage the adult care partner to stay for an unlimited number of nights at no additional charge.
The family member or care partner is responsible for providing their own meals. The care partner will learn about the patient’s needs and be a partner in care with the nursing and therapy staff. Care partners will be taught skills to be prepared for caring for their loved one upon return home. Arrangements for the stay are made through the nurse at the time of admission.
Caregiver Training Apartment
The Center also offers a unique opportunity for our patients and their care partners. We have a Caregiver Training Apartment within the Center that allows the patient and an adult family member to spend time together in an unstructured environment so the care partner can self-assess their preparedness to assist the patient at home. This opportunity is provided in-lieu of an overnight pass home for patients who cannot leave the hospital.
The Caregiver Training Apartment provides the care partner with an opportunity to experience the patient’s functional status while still in a somewhat controlled environment. This includes giving medications, bathroom transfers, making light meals, etc. Nurses are easily called to assist the care partner, if necessary.
Visit the California Department of Rehabilitation website and learn more about services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living and equality for individuals with disabilities. To further support our patients, we invite you to visit the Rehabilitation Guild web page or call 818-885-8500, ext. 3634.
