Technological Advances in Rehabilitation
EIRMC has embraced several technological advances to improve patient care processes and results. They have allowed our rehabilitation program and outcomes to be more measurable and efficient. These are some of our current technologies:
- Bioness NESS L300 Foot Drop System. The device provides stimulation so patients with neurological disorders can overcome limb paralysis and foot drop. The device uses a unique gait sensor that adjusts to accommodate uneven surfaces and changes in elevation to help patients walk safely and confidently, regardless of terrain.
- Bioness H200 Hand Rehabilitation System. This is a non-invasive, advanced neuroprosthesis for the treatment of upper limb paralysis. The system contains a custom-fit orthosis that uses Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to activate muscle groups in the forearm to produce functional movement patterns in the hand.
- VitalStim Therapy System. This non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment for dysphagia or difficulty swallowing that involves the administration of small, electrical impulses to the swallowing muscles in the throat through electrodes attached to the skin.
- FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing). This allows for direct assessment of the motor and sensory aspects of the swallow, in order to guide the dietary and behavioral management of patients with swallowing problems.
- Biodex Unweighing System. This equipment holds the patient upright while supporting the weight of their body, so that the therapist can work with them on walking activities. It is like a second set of hands; it frees the therapist to assist patients with posture and balance and to achieve a normal walking speed and pattern.
- Nintendo Wii Gaming System. Patients may find themselves playing video games as part of their rehabilitation as the Wii is now being used in the therapeutic environment. Patients get a “memory workout,” remembering how to start up the system and play the game. For some patients, creating the activity on the screen by using the controller and following the on-screen instructions assists with cognitive recovery.
Wii game-playing helps patients return to complex activities such as throwing a ball, bowling or swinging a golf club. For example, a stroke patient can relearn these complex activities while adjusting to changes in their balance and coordination.
- Driving skills assessment and remedial training. This program determines whether a patient can drive safely by testing their ability to perform physical, cognitive, and visual tasks, and ability to compensate for deficits. It also indicates which adaptive equipment and/or vehicle modifications may be necessary.
Once the clinical evaluation is complete, a road test is performed in a driver educator’s car. This drive includes any adaptive equipment that has been suggested by the clinical portion of the evaluation. After the road test, recommendations are made pertaining to education, training, specific vehicle modification and adaptive equipment needs.
- Independent living transition room. This patient room is used to help prepare for the myriad of environments a patient encounters outside the hospital. It is furnished much like a bedroom in their own home. The regular bed tests whether the patient can be independent with bed mobility (getting around in the bed without bedrails, getting up from the bed without it going up and down, etc). The patient is also responsible for keeping track of their own mealtime and therapy schedules. The independent living transition room is used for patients just prior to their discharge back home.
- eMAR. EIRMC was also the first hospital in Idaho to use eMar (Electronic Medication Administration Record) to reduce medication errors. This system assures that the right medication is dispensed for the right patient at the right time.
For assistance with admission to the EIRMC Rehabilitation Center, call 208-529-7687 for our intake coordinator.
