Objectives: To develop a post-acute, interdisciplinary, outpatient rehabilitation program for veterans with traumatic brain injury and other polytraumatic injuries. The program is designed to assist veterans with community reintegration and to return them to their highest level of independent functioning. The Polytrauma Brain Injury Day (PBID) program is based upon best practice standards, and was established with the long-term goal of seeking CARF accreditation for this outpatient rehabilitation program.
Method: Two local PM & R Service policies were written to outline the scope of practice, and patient rights and responsibilities for participation in the program. Each policy was written with CARF accreditation standards in mind, in anticipation of future program development. Additionally, pre-program and post-program measures were developed or selected, one aimed at assessing changes in functional status after completion of the program (Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory-4/MPAI-4), and the other two aimed at measuring patient and family satisfaction with the program (5-point Likert scale with modified, VA-approved, Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients (SHEP) questions).
Results: This is a new program that is evolving in response to patient, family, and staff feedback. Due to current small numbers, results have only been qualitatively reviewed (with subsequent statistical analysis pending). Trends have been noted in the following directions: Mild improvement on the participation subscale of the MPAI-4 for patient ratings; no change for patient ability and adjustment subscales; improvement across all subscales for significant other ratings. All patient and family satisfaction surveys rated the program "very good" to "excellent" across all items. Program changes were made accordingly and will be discussed in further detail on the poster.