Central to our holistic approach to care is the counseling, encouragement and treatment of patients by a team of caring experts, who are dedicated to helping patients reach their goals.
Each team, led by a physiatrist, assesses the patient's progress, unique challenges, and the team's collaborative efforts to work toward the patient's best possible outcome.
Members of the treatment team are determined by area of expertise, and according to the nature and severity of the patient's injury. The team may include all or some of the specialties listed below.
Physiatrists
Physiatrists are medical doctors specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They focus on restoring patients' function by addressing musculoskeletal disorders and acute and chronic pain. At Siskin Hospital, physiatrists serve as the treatment team leader by providing overall medical and rehabilitation direction. For additional information on physiatry, visit the Association of Academic Physiatrists website by clicking here.
Siskin Spine and Rehab Clinic
Siskin Spine and Rehab Clinic is the physiatry practice providing physical medicine and rehabilitation services to Siskin Hospital patients. Located on Siskin Hospital's first floor, these specialized physicians provide leadership and medical supervision for inpatient treatment teams and outpatient follow-up. The group also offers specialty services like pain management. To schedule a physical rehabilitation consultation or to speak with a physician in the Siskin Spine and Rehab Clinic, call 423.634.4226. To visit Siskin Spine and Rehab Clinic's website, click here.
Physician Assistants
Physician assistants are formally trained to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services as delegated by a physician. As part of the treatment team, physician assistants take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret tests and x-rays, make diagnoses, and prescribe medications. For additional information on physician assistants, visit the American Academy of Physician Assistants website by clicking here.
Physical Therapists
Physical therapists work to improve patient strength, range of motion, coordination, balance, ambulation, positioning, and respiratory issues depending on the patient's needs and injuries. The physical therapist assists in patient and caregiver education and makes recommendations for equipment, like walkers or wheelchairs, which will give patients maximum mobility and independence.
Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists work to restore the patient's ability to carry out activities of daily living, like eating, bathing, dressing, returning to work, and driving, as well as independent living skills such as homemaking and money management. Occupational therapists may also conduct evaluations of patients' homes and make recommendations for changes to improve independence. Additionally, Occupational Therapists will work with patients in helping develop recreation and leisure skills to continue reintegrating back into a home or community environment.
Speech-Language Pathologists
Speech-Language Pathologists work to improve the patient's communication, cognition, and swallowing skills. Individual and group treatments help improve communication skills like articulation, language, fluency, reading comprehension and written expression. Cognitive deficits are addressed, including disorientation, confusion, disorganization of thoughts, memory dysfunction, and social skills. The speech-language pathologist may train patients in the use of adapted computers or communication devices.
Discharge Planner
Acting as the patient's program manager, the discharge planner performs comprehensive psychosocial evaluations, coordinates discharge planning and the family's education program. The discharge planner also provides staff and community consultations in understanding the significance of social, economic, emotional and family factors in a patient's injury treatment and recovery.
Rehabilitation Nurses
Rehabilitation nurses promote physiological and psychological functioning by encouraging a patient's independence. A patient's primary nurse works as a member of the rehabilitation team to implement plans of care, including medication management.
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory therapists evaluate the patient's cardiopulmonary health and oxygenation needs, develop a plan to maintain and improve healthy breathing, and, if possible, return patients to independent respiration. They administer treatments to improve oxygenation and improve the patient's ability to participate in therapy. In tracheotomy patients, respiratory therapists care for the artificial airway to prevent infection and work to transition the patient to independent breathing.
Psychologists
The psychologist's role is to help the patient and their family members address the social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive issues facing them after a traumatic event or injury. The psychologist helps them work toward coping, compensating, and adapting to change or loss through individual, group, family, intellectual, neuropsychological, personality and vocational education counseling, as well as behavior and pain management. When needed, the psychologist may also administer formalized testing.
Clinical Nutritionists
A registered dietician works to develop a nutritional care plan for each patient based on medical, texture restrictions, and nutritional needs. Attention is given to the patient's religious, lifestyle restrictions, and personal tastes.
Pastoral Care Services
A chaplain visits each patient in response to referrals or requests during their stay. Weekly and special occasion worship services are conducted for patients and staff. The pastoral care staff acts as a liaison between patients, family members, and their ministers. For more information on pastoral care, click here.
