The goals of the amputation program are to assist the patient to achieve
functional independence, to improve quality of life and to provide effective
patient and family education. The Amputation Rehab Team develops individualized
treatment plans aimed at assessing patient risk, promoting functional
gains, and teaching the patient and family effective coping skills for
life after discharge from rehab. This program has an educational component
that provides the patient and family with the information they need during
their rehab and when they return home. After a thorough assessment and
consultation with the patient/family, the team establishes realistic goals
for the patient to achieve.
The Amputee Program provides specialized evaluations and therapy for patients
in the early postoperative period to assess in the need for balance, transfer
training, and wound and skin care. Improving strength, endurance, and
mobility are all a focus to assist the patient in reaching their goals.
Specialized Care
Additionally, the program offers specialized care in important focus areas
including:
Adaptive techniques and utilization of assistive devices needed for completing
activities of daily living.
Coping with limb loss
Techniques for desensitization of the residual limb
Managing phantom limb pain
Prevention of secondary complications associated with limb loss
Prosthetic (Artificial Limb) options, management, and proper fitting
Skin/Wound Care of the residual limb
Skin/Preventative care of the unaffected limb
The team provides the training necessary to achieve those skills while
focusing on the medical, social, emotional, spiritual, and vocational
needs of the patient and their family. As the patient achieves his/her
goals, the team modifies the program to promote as much functional independence
as able while ensuring the patient’s safety and wellbeing.
Rehabilitation counsellors assist patients and their family members/support
system with learning techniques necessary for coping with limb loss. The
program also incorporates peer visitors (individuals who have recently
experienced limb loss) who will meet with patients to answer questions.
The program also hosts monthly support meetings that are open to the community.
Technologies Involved
Therapies use the latest technology in rehabilitation to ensure the best
results. A list of some of the technologies used in the amputation program follows:
The Amputation Rehab Teams at Allied Services Scranton Rehab Hospital and
Allied Services Wilkes-Barre Rehab Hospital have dedicated teams of experienced
professionals. Each individual’s treatment team is made up of a
physiatrist (a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation),
a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist, recreational
therapist, respiratory therapist, a psychologist, rehabilitation nurses,
a medical social worker, a dietitian, and rehab technologist, as required.
They work together with the patient and their family to meet the unique
physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of the patient.
Patients receive at least three hours of Physical Therapy, Occupational
Therapy and/or Speech Therapy, five days per week. Prosthetic providers
perform the construction and fitting of the prosthesis (artificial limb)
and assist with the education regarding the use of a prosthetic device.
Plan of Care
Weekly team meetings are held to discuss each patient’s individualized
plan of care and discharge plan. Patients and their families are encouraged
to be active participants in the care and discharge planning process.
The Medical Social Worker updates the patient and his/her caregiver to
ensure full understanding of the current treatment plan and to address
each patient’s concerns and challenges.
Upon discharge, patients continue with treatments designed to continue
the transition toward an active, independent lifestyle. Allied Services
remain lifetime resources for the patient and their family. The Rehab
team also maintains communication with each patient’s physicians
to ensure the complete coordination of care throughout the recovery process.
The Transition Home
During the Amputation Program, we train patients in the techniques they
need to live independently at home and at work. Community integration
skills are taught as part of therapy and activities are practiced during
the rehabilitation process. Patients and their caregivers are provided
with a self-care training program based upon principles of self-advocacy
and self-direction. Patients are taught how to direct their care and what
to do if emergencies arise.
When appropriate, the team may perform evaluations of the home, school
or work site to identify barriers and make recommendations for accessibility.
The family works closely with the occupational therapist to assess the
home and make accessibility changes as recommended.
Discharge
All pertinent discharge information is forwarded to the patient’s
primary care physician and therapists to facilitate a smooth and safe
transition to the next care provider. After discharge, patients receive
surveys and follow-up phone calls to assess their satisfaction with their
service, assess their functional status, and determine if there are any
on-going needs.
At Allied Services Rehab and Heinz Rehab, rehabilitation does not end when
a patient is discharged. In addition to inpatient rehabilitation, we offer
a wide range of post-acute care services to meet the needs of the patients.
Admissions & Referrals
Patients are admitted to the amputation rehabilitation program at Allied
Services rehab when they are medically stable and determined appropriate
for a rehabilitation program. Referrals may be made by a private physician,
general hospital, family member, or those who have been injured themselves.
For specific questions on how to obtain a referral, please call
570-826-3900 (Wilkes-Barre) or
570-348-1360 (Scranton). Contact us to learn more or start your
referral process today.
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