Brain Injury means an acquired injury to the brain that results in partial or total impairment in one or more areas of function. These areas of function include, but are not limited to, cognition; memory; attention; reasoning; abstract thinking; judgment; problem solving; information processing; speech and language; psychosocial behavior; sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities and physical functioning. A brain injury may be caused by any external or internal mechanism of injury, can vary in severity from mild to severe, and may result in short-term or long-term functional impairment. Acquired brain injuries may be secondary to trauma, strokes, anoxia, tumors, toxic exposures, illnesses or surgical interventions. The term does not include brain dysfunction caused by congenital or degenerative disorders, nor birth trauma.

Examples, Subsets and Synonyms for Brain Injury

• Traumatic Brain Injury (and Concussion)
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Infections (encephalitis, meningitis)
• Demyelenating processes (ADEM, Multiple Sclerosis)
• Stroke
• Brain Injury from CNS Tumor
• Brain Injury from neurosurgical intervention

The Rehabilitation Continuum of Care (RCC) provides comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation services to children and adolescents with brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy (primarily post orthopedic surgery) and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Rehabilitation Continuum of Care is directed by a pediatric physiatrist

The interdisciplinary team consists of: medicine, nursing, occupational and physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, behavioral and neuropsychologists, social workers, educational specialists, nutritionists, child life specialists, recreational therapists, assistive technology specialists and clinical care managers.

The Rehabilitation Continuum of Care is accredited by both the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (TJC) and an active member and supporter of the Brain Injury Association of Maryland, Inc. (BIAM). The RCC’s Brain Injury program, established in 1979, was the first CARF accredited Pediatric Brain Injury Program in Maryland.

The Rehabilitation Continuum of Care utilizes WeeFIM, a national pediatric rehabilitation functional outcome scale, as well as more specific outcomes scales developed at KKI. Critical evaluation of 3 years of Brain Injury outcome data shows that use of the alternative acute rehab programs within the continuum (STP and H&C) reduces inpatient length of stay (37.9 vs 28.6 days) and results in improved outcome at discharge (WeeFIM 84.5 vs 102, p=.001). Additionally, 10.2% of children needing acute, intense, coordinated, interdisciplinary rehabilitation were able to completely avoid expensive inpatient rehabilitation, and have their needs met in the alternative programs within the Continuum.

The needs of patients referred to the Rehabilitation Continuum of Care are reviewed by the clinical care manager and physician with input from the family and patient to determine the most appropriate setting and level of care. The overall rehabilitation goal is to assist the child to be as functional as possible in their home, school and community setting. After discharge, follow-up services are provided for ongoing support.