Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

Adding Quality to Life

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.

The Center has proudly served Southern California since1974 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 Level II 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.

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 significant others 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. Spinal cord injury patients can receive additional support through WYNGS, an organization that provides emotional support, information and resources to ease financial burdens.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Patient and Family Education 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. The program includes teams such as wheelchair hockey, wheelchair tennis and quad rugby. For information, please call 818-885-8500, ext. 3610.

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 .