The project, which developed out of MMC's relationship with Covenant Health and the Fort Sanders Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, provides a comprehensive local plan for continued rehabilitation, reducing travel time and stress on patients. A multidisciplinary team composed of physical, occupational and speech therapists can treat patients in one department area and in one visit.

Pam Pendleton, MMC occupational therapist, said MMC recognized the need in the community for a local stroke rehabilitation unit.

"Area stroke patients were having to travel excessively to receive treatment," said Pendleton. "We can now offer comprehensive stroke rehab services right here at home."

Nancy Hulley, MMC physical therapist who specializes in stroke rehabilitation, said patients will reap the benefits of the coordinated approach.

"We offer the same services as any inpatient rehabilitation unit, providing an excellent transition from inpatient to outpatient care," said Hulley.

"We want to get patients into our program and provide all three therapy treatments in one visit under one roof," Hulley said. "Recovering from a stroke is hard enough on patients and their families. We don't want to add the burden of having to schedule different times and places to meet with each therapist."

The team of therapists conduct weekly meetings, discussing each patient's treatment and progress. The team then sends an updated report to the patient's physician. This open communication keeps patients, therapists and physicians informed, allowing each individual patient to receive the best possible care.

Education is an important aspect of the treatment sessions, and patient families are encouraged to take part in the rehabilitation sessions. Physical therapists and occupational therapists take an interdisciplinary approach to educating patients and their families on such topics as fall prevention and safety in the home. Speech therapists educate patients and families on effective ways to communicate in their everyday lives.

In addition to these efforts, the department is developing programs aimed at serving younger victims of stroke. Hulley said hospitals are seeing more young stroke victims, and special programs must meet the needs of this group.