Treatment teams at Pate reflect our commitment to the best care by offering a multidisciplinary, team-based approach for both staff and patients. At admission, patients join a team for their treatment that reflects their current functional level. Over time, they move to the next level of independence. Our multidisciplinary model means many minds are working on your loved one's recovery.
Functional level of the individual is assessed through diagnostics using accepted assessment tools such as FIM/FAM and MPAI-4.
What is different about Pate is that we use our own measurement scale that gives us deeper insight into the patient's status.
The Pate Environmentally Relevant Program Outcome System, or PERPOS has been validated in a peer reviewed journal and was designed by the founder of Pate, Dr. Mary Ellen Hayden. PERPOS measures the level of distraction and structure present in the patient’s environment and provides scores based on the patient's ability to tolerate distraction and how much structure (assistance by staff or others) they require.
Based on the PERPOS score, our clinical staff chooses the right team for each patient. There are three teams at Pate.
- Functional Independence Treatment Team - FITT
- Transition to Independent Living Skills Team - TRILS
- Independent Living Skills Team - ILS
Depending on their progress, patients may join another team at a higher level of independence as they continue rehab. Throughout treatment the PERPOS allows us to modify the environment to the patient, steadily increasing ability to handle distraction and reducing structure to strengthen independence.
FITT (Functional Independence Treatment Team)
- Maintains the highest structure and least distracting environment.
- More complicated physical and cognitive struggles due to severe brain injuries.
- Therapists provide a high level of assistance to get these patients through their day.
- Treatment focuses largely on becoming as independent as possible.
- Therapists will work specifically with orientation, basic activities of daily living, communication, swallowing, basic life skills, recreation and leisure and safety within the home and community.
- Families are given specific training from the treatment team as these patients require 24-hour assistance and supervision for safety.
Once patients are oriented and able to complete therapeutic activities with less assistance (e.g., follow a daily schedule, complete basic self-care skills, and navigate safely in familiar environments) it is recommended that they transfer to the TRILS team.
TRILS (Transition to Independent Living Team)
- Moderately structured environment with a variable level of distractions.
- Level of distraction is determined by what they can individually tolerate, and this level is increased over time based on patients progress.
- Treatment is focused largely on helping patients complete functional activities safely, accurately and efficiently so they can consider and begin the process for returning to work, driving and increasing their independent living.
Once patients are more independent with respect to their physical needs, completing their treatment schedule consistently on their own, and tolerating a moderate to significant level of distraction, it is recommended that they transfer to the ILS team.
ILS (Independent Living Skills Team)
- Minimally structured environment with highly distracting environment.
- Patients receive physical and occupational therapy for higher-level functions such as fine motor movement and balance.
- Treatment is primarily focused on their ability to independently manage their medical needs, household responsibilities, and simulation of job-related tasks while developing a plan for return to work and return to driving.
- Days in treatment may change as they transition back into the work place while still focusing on strategies within the rehabilitation setting lending to a part time schedule in the program.
If it is identified that the patient is not suited to return to their previous employment, then they are provided specialized vocational testing and programming in addition to community based referrals to allow them to seek new job opportunities based on their current strengths.
Role of Clinical Staff
All of our teams are dedicated to providing functional, individualized, and evidenced-based therapy to our patients. Team members work together to obtain optimal outcomes for every patient. Teams include therapists in speech/language, occupational, physical, neuropsychology and other disciplines.
All of the patients' families are provided with direct communication, support, and education regarding the patients’ brain injury and how it impacts their lives.
Case Managers
To ensure a consistent flow of information between the patient, family members and the interdisciplinary team of clinical experts, a case manager serves as the central contact while patients are with us.
The case manager has the overall view of the patient's case, working closely with our clinical experts and health plan insurance administrators to ensure the best care. Social workers may lend a hand by finding resources to help with housing issues, locating a mentor or learning disability expert, or helping solve family difficulties.
After the treatment plan has been established, it will include individualized rehabilitation activities. These activities are incorporated into the patient’s therapy plan to not only address the patient’s deficits, but also mimic the impact of the deficit in the real world so that the patient can overcome them in everyday situations.
These treatment teams are very important in supporting the therapists, psychologists and neuropsychologists in preparing the patient for a successful return to his or her routine activities.
Program Managers
They lead the treatment team in the implementation of the treatment plan and hold the team to the identified plan, which encourages reflection and documentation of progress made.
This professional also ensures that if treatment challenges arise, they are investigated and solutions are effectively integrated into the existing treatment plan. In addition, he or she monitors the development of the discharge plan to include all aspects of functional living important to the patients and their families.
All treatment teams meet regularly to share insights and make recommendations, allowing us to assimilate therapy holistically. Patients greatly benefit from the combination of each team member’s vast knowledge, observations, and expertise.