Learn about TBI - For Individuals and Families
Working With Your Health Care Team in the Hospital
Members of the health care team will work together with the patient, family and friends during the hospital stay. Care will be centered on the individual needs of the patient. Family and friends are important members of the team.
Patient: The patient is the most important member of the team. Care will be planned based on how the patient responds to treatment. Family and Friends: You provide emotional support to the patient. Family and friends also provide the health care team with important facts about the patient's past history and can help watch for changes. Other team members will show you what you can do to help with the recovery process.
Doctors: Neurosurgeons are specialists who help determine the type of brain injury and its treatment. They may perform surgery on the brain. They will work with other doctors if the patient is in intensive care or has injuries to other parts of the body. Other specialists who may care for the patient include neurologists and physiatrists. Your primary care provider may also coordinate the team.
Nurses: Nurses check patient's vitals (temperature, blood pressure, heart and breathing rate) and watch for changes in strength and thinking. They help with daily cares such as eating and bathing. Nurses also coordinate care among the members of the health care team.
Social Workers: Social workers provide emotional support to help the patient and family adjust to being in the hospital. They coordinate discharge planning, referral to community resources, and answer questions about insurance or disability.
Physical Therapists (PT): Physical therapists evaluate and treat weaknesses in the patient's strength, flexibility, balance, rolling, sitting, standing and walking. Treatment may include exercises or instruction in use of equipment such as walkers, canes or wheelchairs.
Occupational Therapists (OT): Occupational therapists evaluate the patient's ability to perform dressing, bathing, homemaking and activities that require memory and organization. They provide treatment or equipment needed for safe independent living.
Speech Therapists: Speech therapists test and treat speech, language, thinking and swallowing problems.
Neuropsychologists: Neuropsychologists test thinking, memory, judgment, emotions, behavior and personality. This information can be used to help guide treatment. It will also help determine the amount of supervision that the patient needs when they leave the hospital.
Dieticians: Dieticians assess nutritional needs. They work with the patient and other team members to help the patient meet their nutritional goals.
Other staff members may work with the patient and family. These include:
- Respiratory therapists
- Activity therapists
- Clergy
- Child life therapists
- Patient representatives
- Vocational counselors
- Music therapists
- Recreation therapists
Asking for information
- Ask which doctor is in charge of the patient's care. Find out the best time to talk with the doctor and how to contact him/her.
- Nurses have the most contact with the patient each day. Ask which nurse can be the communication link with you and your family. Ask whether this changes each day, evening, shift or weekend.
- Ask all therapists to describe what they do and why it is important. Ask for suggestions on what you can do between therapies to help the patient. Write down their names and contact information.
- Ask hospital professionals to tell you their names and what part they play in the patient's care. Writing down names may be helpful.
- Ask how the medical team will update you on the patient's progress. Arrange for a family member to be present if possible.
- Ask how to arrange meetings with doctors, therapists and specialists. You may request a meeting any time. Before any meeting, write down questions and use your notes.
- Ask how to get involved in the patient's care and how decisions about treatment will be made.
Tips for Understanding Information
- Select one person in your family to be the communications link with the hospital.
- If you don't understand something, ask that it be repeated or stated differently. Ask where you can find more information to read.
- Ask hospital staff for an interpreter if English is not your primary language. Try not to rely on family members to interpret, as this may be upsetting and difficult for them.
- Take notes or use a tape recorder (with permission) to help you remember important information and instructions.
- Ask for written information to help you understand brain injury.
Planning Ahead
- Plan the next steps with hospital professionals. Ask when the patient will be discharged and what problems you may expect.
- Request a list of traumatic brain injury resources to contact in the future if necessary.
- Keep copies of important information, such as consultants' reports and discharge summaries. Start a three-ring binder to keep them organized.
Finding a Balance
- The challenge for families and professionals is to find a balance between hope for the patient's recovery and the limitation of the current condition.
- Don't expect professionals to be able to give precise predictions for the patient's recovery.
- Know that you are on a sensitive journey where you will experience loss and gain.
- There is life after brain injury.