Brain Injury Services (BIS) at Bethesda addresses both physical and mental aspects of treatment. Traumatic or acquired brain injury survivors receive personalized treatment. We focus on observing behavior and working out solutions for daily living. We work to help reintegrate our patients into the community.

Our brain injury programs

Patients are cared for by interdisciplinary teams of professionals. The BIS team first assesses cognitive, behavioral and physical needs. The team then develops an individualized treatment plan, incorporating behavioral management into the overall rehabilitation program. In addition to inpatient care, Bethesda also offers outpatient brain injury programs.

Bethesda's three inpatient brain injury programs include:

Neurobehavioral Crisis and Assessment (NCA)

This program is for patients who exhibit severe behavioral problems as a result of acquired or traumatic brain injury, or need a brief assessment and meet acute psychiatric admission criteria. The NCA program offers:

• Crisis stabilization
• Neurobehavioral assessment
• Psychiatric assessment
• Neuropsychological assessment
• Medical adjustment
• Short-term inpatient treatment
• Discharge planning
• Referral for more extensive long-term neurobehavioral rehabilitation
• Outpatient treatment and/or community placement

Brain Injury Rehabilitation (BIR)

Patients admitted to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation (BIR) program require intense rehabilitation in an acute care setting. They may be coping with cognitive and physical disabilities stemming from a stroke, acquired or traumatic brain injury, or a non-degenerative neurological disorder.

The treatment plan considers:

• The cognitive level of the patient
• Health and ability
• Behaviors
• The unique needs and preferences of the patient
• Social and family concern
• Bowel and bladder function
• Nutrition
• Safety
• Medications
• Discharge options

Six days a week the patient undergoes intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapies, based on individual needs. In addition, each patient participates in therapeutic recreation and community integration activities.

Neurobehavioral Brain Injury (NBI)

This program is designed for patients who have severe behavioral and emotional problems as a result of brain injury, which interferes with their daily functioning, preventing successful reintegration into the community.

The program is designed to allow for relatively lengthy hospitalizations. These patients have rehabilitation potential, but their behaviors interfere with progress in traditional rehabilitation programs. The following characteristics may be seen in patients being treated in the NBI program:

• 1 to 10 years post injury
• Depression
• Impulsive/inappropriate (verbally, physically, sexually)
• Socially isolated
• Threatening behaviors
• Low frustration tolerance
• Difficulty making/maintaining friendships
• Chemical abuse
• Extensive memory impairment
• Low self-esteem

Admission criteria

To be admitted to a brain injury program, a patient must be:

• 16 years or older, and able to benefit from an adult environment
• Diagnosed with a traumatic or acquired brain injury

When a patient is referred to the program, an RN referral specialist will conduct an assessment and screening. This includes a clinical history, review of therapeutic interventions and recommendations for admission and further evaluation/treatment. The clinical team reviews the information and makes a final recommendation.

For more information

To learn more, request information or call our Referral Hotline at 651-232-2760.