Warm Springs Press Releases

VICTORIA WARM SPRINGS STROKE OUTCOMES SURPASS REGIONAL AND NATIONAL LEVELS
Helping Stroke Patients Regain Independence

According to the American Stroke Association, every 45 seconds, someone in America has a stroke and every 3 minutes, someone dies of one. In 2001, strokes killed an estimated 163,538 people. Stroke is also the nation's third leading cause of death and is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States.

Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital has been helping stroke survivors recover from this debilitating disease since its inception, 6 years ago. "Taking care of the patient and helping them reintegrate into the community is our passion and mission at Warm Springs," said Linda Vaclavik, administrator of the Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. "Surviving a stroke can seriously alter someone’s life."

A recent survey showed that Victoria Warm Springs has achieved higher patient outcomes compared to both regional and national rehabilitation hospitals in treating patients who have suffered a stroke. In an effort to track the success rate of rehabilitative care and patient progress, Warm Springs utilizes the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) tool. The use of the FIM allows the staff at Warm Springs to determine individual motor and cognitive capabilities and develop effective, personalized rehabilitation care plans. This data is compared with regional and national facilities to ensure that high quality medical standards are maintained.

"This score is an indicator that our physicians, therapists, nurses and other clinicians are using their expertise to make a positive impact on our patients recovery," said Vaclavik. "Our clinicians create the best possible treatment program for each patient and their diagnosis."

The FIM score is comprised of six subsections:

• Self-care
• Transfers
• Bowel and bladder control
• Communication/language
• Locomotion
• Social cognition

"At Warm Springs we help patients develop skills necessary to return to a familiar lifestyle by increasing independence and improving their physical and cognitive abilities through the use of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and rehabilitation nursing. We focus on improving their ability to perform all of their daily living skills." said Linda Veale, director of therapy for the Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital.

Through the work of the multi-disciplinary team, stroke patients learn proper exercise techniques and establish healthy lifestyles, at the same time enhancing cardiovascular function, strength, endurance and flexibility. Through the holistic approach at Warm Springs, we not only focus on the physical needs of stroke patients we also stress the importance of their psychosocial needs.

Warm Springs is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) rehabilitation system with hospitals in Luling, San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Victoria, nine outpatient clinics located throughout South Central Texas, the Warm Springs Sports Program for People with Disabilities and various fitness and wellness programs for adults and people with disabilities.