Authors

  1. Lang, Catherine E. PT, PhD
  2. Bland, Marghuretta D. DPT, MSCI
  3. Connor, Lisa Tabor PhD
  4. Fucetola, Robert PhD
  5. Whitson, Michelle PT, MHS, MA, MBA
  6. Edmiaston, Jeff MS, CCC-SLP
  7. Karr, Clayton MSOT, OTR/L
  8. Sturmoski, Audra MSPT
  9. Baty, Jack MS
  10. Corbetta, Maurizio MD

Abstract

This Special Interest article describes a multidisciplinary, interinstitutional effort to build an organized system of stroke rehabilitation and outcomes measurement across the continuum of care. This system is focused on a cohort of patients who are admitted with the diagnosis of stroke to our acute facility, are discharged to inpatient and/or outpatient rehabilitation at our free-standing facility, and are then discharged to the community. This article first briefly explains the justification, goals, and purpose of the Brain Recovery Core system. The next sections describe its development and implementation, with details on the aspects related to physical therapy. The article concludes with an assessment of how the Brain Recovery Core system has changed and improved delivery of rehabilitation services. It is hoped that the contents of this article will be useful in initiating discussions and potentially facilitating similar efforts among other centers.