Pediatric care is a specialty area that requires a unique approach to the treatment of various diseases and disorders. In cases where a child suffers a serious injury or gets diagnosed with a disabling disease, there are scenarios where rehabilitation will be required. The rehabilitation process can be provided in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. There are different types of rehabilitation processes that can assist these individuals, allowing them to adopt coping mechanisms and ensuring they can experience an improvement in their quality of life.
In this post, we explore the available options for pediatric inpatient rehabilitation. We consider conditions and events that may require this type of service, how it works, and what parents should know.
What Is Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation?
Pediatric inpatient rehabilitation is a program that focuses on providing a range of services to kids in a specified facility. With these programs, the patient will stay at the facility for a certain period of time to provide them with the medical care they may require during a recovery phase. The facilities that offer pediatric inpatient rehabilitation will provide these services to kids and teens in most cases.
The rehabilitation process generally starts with a thorough evaluation of the child. The care staff at the facility also needs to have a thorough understanding of the reason for admission, as this ensures appropriate care can be provided.
These programs are generally family-focused, ensuring the patient remains in touch with their parents and other family members throughout the rehabilitation process. In addition, several goals are usually established by a rehabilitation program, such as:
● To assist in optimizing the recovery process in cases where the child fell ill or suffered an injury
● To promote enhanced independence
● To help the child experience a better quality of life
Personalized programs focus on pediatric inpatient rehabilitation, as the needs of children admitted to these facilities will differ. Thus, a care provider needs to develop a program that focuses on the child’s specific needs.
Cases Where Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation May Be Needed
There are numerous cases where a child may require inpatient rehabilitation. It is important to note that pediatric inpatient rehabilitation services are not only limited to young kids but can also serve teenagers up to high school age. In this section, we will consider a few conditions where inpatient rehabilitation may be helpful for pediatric patients.
Congenital Disorders
Some kids are born with congenital disabilities that can result in the presence of a disorder. In some instances, these congenital disorders cause problems with the growth and development of the kid. The use of inpatient rehabilitation services can sometimes prove helpful in cases where a kid is diagnosed with congenital disorders. This type of service is also beneficial for kids with neurological disorders.
Examples of these disorders include hemorrhages, cerebral palsy, and malformations in the cerebrovascular structure. The facility that provides the rehabilitation services will start out by assessing the kid’s current state. Understanding the child’s condition is required for the center to develop an effective program that will optimize the recovery process or focus on enhancing the kid’s quality of life. The program will generally focus on addressing the child’s cognitive and sensory difficulties. If there are physical limitations, additional treatments may be introduced. This can include physical therapy to prevent complications that occur due to inactivity.
Neuromuscular Diseases
Compartment syndrome, poor muscle development, and movement disorders can result in several limitations for kids. This is another treatment area that rehabilitation facilities will specialize in. While the majority of these diseases are considered incurable, there are rehabilitation strategies that can be useful. These treatments will generally maximize the kid’s psychosocial abilities while also focusing on physical abilities. All of these steps are implemented while keeping the limitations the kid is facing into account.
Various types of rehabilitation treatments can be included in a child’s program when they are admitted due to a neuromuscular disease. This may include exercises that focus on strengthening their muscles. When the child can move, exercises that help with range of motion may also be introduced. Furthermore, some facilities also give patients access to adaptive devices that can make their day-to-day lives more comfortable.
Nutrition Problems
When kids suffer from malnutrition, they can develop many adverse effects. Each cell that makes up the human body relies on a constant supply of certain nutrients to remain functional. Unfortunately, some kids may have diseases or conditions that affect their ability to maintain an appropriate nutritional level in their bodies. This can result in weight loss, physical weakness, and constant fatigue.
Recovery is not always as simple as increasing the amount of food the child consumes. When the kids need to go through an extensive recovery process, they may need to be provided with an inpatient rehabilitation program. This program will provide them with the nutrition they require while also implementing additional techniques to help with the recovery process. In addition, supportive care is provided, along with physical exercises that can improve muscle strength.
How Parents Should Choose A Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility
Since the child is expected to remain at the facility with a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation program, parents need to know what they should look for when choosing a center. Accreditation is generally considered a particularly important factor. Therefore, the parents need to ensure the facility their kid is admitted to has been accredited for these services.
It is advisable to look for a center that has been accredited by the CARF, also known as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. The CARF accreditation means the center has gone through multiple inspections to ensure the appropriate medical devices and facilities are available for pediatric patients.
It is also essential for parents to know who will be caring for their kids at these facilities. The parents should personally meet with the staff to discuss the available options and what type of methods will be used throughout the rehabilitation process. Consider the specialists that are involved in the treatment plans as well. The goal here is to ensure top-quality care will be provided to the child while also understanding the qualifications held by the care providers. This can give the parents peace of mind, knowing that their kid will be in caring hands. Other than this, the parents need to consider if their kids have any special needs.
Conclusion
Several scenarios may call for pediatric inpatient rehabilitation to assist with the recovery of certain illnesses. These services may also be helpful in cases where a child experienced a serious injury, providing a range of options that helps to speed up the recovery process. Parents should ensure they thoroughly understand how the process works and the available options. This ensures that parent can provide their kid with the most effective rehabilitation program.
