Patient Care - DMC RIM Rehab

Brain Injury

Recognized as a national leader in the treatment of traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries, the brain injury service at Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) was the first program of its kind established in the Midwest and has been helping people rebuild their lives since 1979.

Today, RIM treats more brain injury patients than any other program in the state. Our high patient volume and diverse patient population mean our team of experts is experienced in treating all types of brain injuries, including the most complex cases. Furthermore, recent data shows that upon completion of their hospital stay, RIM's brain injury patients have a very high return-to-home rate when compared to other rehab facilities and national statistics.

RIM's brain injury program has also earned the rare distinction of being federally designated as one of only 16 centers of excellence in the country for the treatment of brain injuries. Known as the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System (SEMTBIS), this program is a joint partnership with Detroit Receiving Hospital. This unique partnership between an expert trauma center and a leading rehabilitation facility allows for efficient and continuous care of persons with brain injuries.

In addition, SEMTBIS conducts groundbreaking research in the field of rehabilitation medicine, sharing the resulting innovations with other brain injury providers worldwide. Clinical researchers study issues such as medication effects, course of recovery, psychological factors and treatment outcomes. This ongoing research is vital to future advances in the treatment and recovery of persons with brain injuries.

Another unique aspect of RIM's program is it's affiliation with the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University. Because RIM is part of a large academic health care system, patients have access to a variety of medical specialists and resources. This means each patient's care is managed from the initial acute care stage, through the rehabilitation stage, to the outpatient setting where follow-up services continue to assist patients in maintaining a healthy and independent lifestyle.

What To Expect

Brain injuries are complex and vary in severity. But with expert treatment from RIM, patients can develop the skills necessary to return home, to school and the workplace with the highest level of independence possible.

Our dedicated staff of rehabilitation professionals specially designs a treatment plan tailored to the individual needs and goals of each patient that emphasizes, health, independence and restoring quality of life.

On a 26-bed unit solely dedicated to brain injury rehabilitation, patients work with therapists on everyday living skills such as dressing, bathing, walking and cooking. This unit is also secured and monitored 24 hours a day to ensure patient safety.

Individualized treatment is provided by a team of health care professionals led by a physiatrist (a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation). In addition to a physiatrist, the team includes specialists in Internal Medicine;

Neuropsychology; Rehabilitation Nursing; Nutrition; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Social Work; Speech-Language Pathology, and Therapeutic Recreation

RIM serves as a regional resource for persons experiencing traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries, and provides a number of specialized services to assist patients and their families, including:

• Assistive Technology
• Behavior Management
• Day Treatment/Outpatient Therapy
• Drivers Education
• Dysphagia Management
• Home Evaluation
•Orthotics
• Respiratory Therapy
• Spasticity Management
• Support Service Referral
• Wheelchair Seating and Positioning
• Vocational Counseling

Services also include skill-based group programs to improve wheelchair mobility, strength and range-of-motion, feeding and swallowing, communication, higher level language skills, walking and other functional skills.

Another important aspect of the program, is RIM's commitment to education, which involves both the patient and family. By participating in the patient/family education program and the treatment process, families and care-givers learn how to best care for their loved ones and are able to make informed decisions about follow-up care, home adjustments and other special needs.

For information about RIM's Brain Injury Program or to arrange a tour,
call 313-745-1000.