There are approximately 12,000 new cases of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) annually. In 2010, there were approximately 265,000 individuals living with SCI. Over time, the average age of people…
This article describes patient safety after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patient safety in rehabilitation after TBI is important. Thorough assessment on initial evaluation, vigilance for medical and procedural errors, appropriate…
Communication barriers can pose a significant safety risk for patients. Individuals in a communication-vulnerable state are commonly seen in rehabilitation settings. These patients cannot adequately communicate their symptoms, wants, and…
Deficits in cognitive functioning are associated with many safety concerns, including difficulties performing activities of daily living, medication errors, motor vehicle accidents, impaired awareness of deficits, decision-making capacity, falls, and…
Older adults are rehabilitated for a variety of conditions in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF), and they are often at an increased risk for falling during their stay. This article…
Rehabilitation medicine is practiced in a variety of settings. Physiatrists are an integral part of the care provided in many of these settings and are often consulted to provide diagnostic…
Patient safety, including keeping patients safe from harm or unintentional injury, is key to shortening the length of hospital stays, encouraging positive patient outcomes, and contributing to the hospital’s financial…
The Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare has cited communication as the most frequent root cause in sentinel events, with failed patient handoffs playing a “role in an estimated 80%…
The rehabilitation medicine prescription is a communication tool between the referring physician and the rehabilitation team in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. This instrument is critical in both directing…
Patient safety in medical settings has become a major concern. As more and more individuals seek rehabilitative care for their medical conditions or are referred to rehabilitation specialists with increasingly…
