Polytrauma Rehabilitation & Care

We provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient polytrauma rehabilitation and care at Sheltering Arms Institute and the Central Virginia VA Health Care System (CVHCS). We strive to maximize the quality of life of persons with polytraumatic injuries through the use of rehabilitation services. Our programs emphasize the enhancement of quality of life by improving functional independence, increasing participation in social activities, preventing further injury and by education in health maintenance.

In 1993, the Veterans Health Administration and Department of Defense established four centers of excellence for TBI within the VHA, including the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, and three sites within the DoD. In 2003, these four lead VHA centers were re-designated as Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers to care for those with severe combat wounds (a fifth site was added in 2010). Since 2005, these centers have expanded from intensive inpatient rehabilitation centers and include the entire continuum of rehabilitation care for those with TBI. This includes a program dedicated to those with disorders of consciousness (Emerging Consciousness Program), a program to promote successful community re-entry (Polytrauma Transition Rehabilitation Program), a program to provide a vocational rehabilitation experience (Servicemember Transitional Advanced Rehabilitation), a TBI outpatient team (Polytrauma Network Site), a lead Regional Amputee Center and a lead Assistive Technology program.

Services

Medical management of persons with polytrauma
Mobility and self-care retraining
Cognitive therapies
Psychological services for adjustment