Frequently Asked Questions

A: An acquired brain injury (ABI) is any brain injury that occurs after birth — it is not hereditary or congenital. When the cause is a direct blow to the head (such as from a fall, car accident, or sports injury), it is classified as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). When the brain is deprived of oxygen for an extended period (typically 4–5 minutes or more), it is classified as an anoxic brain injury. Both types can cause significant cognitive, physical, and behavioral changes, and both are treated at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital.

A: After a child is stabilized at an acute care hospital, signs that specialized post-acute rehabilitation is needed include: difficulty with walking, balance, or coordination; challenges with speech or communication; memory or attention problems; difficulty with daily tasks like eating, dressing, or bathing; behavioral or emotional changes; and the need for continued medical management such as seizure monitoring. HealthBridge Children’s Hospital specializes in exactly this level of transitional care.

A: Our interdisciplinary team provides physical therapy to rebuild strength, coordination, and mobility; occupational therapy focused on activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, and eating; speech-language therapy to help children regain communication and language skills; and cognitive behavioral therapy to address social skills, stress management, and behavioral changes that often accompany brain injury.

A: Length of stay varies based on the severity of the injury, the child’s age and baseline health, and the goals established in the individualized care plan. Our team works closely with your child’s physicians, family, and payers to develop a realistic timeline. Some children transition to outpatient therapy after a short inpatient stay, while others with more complex needs may require longer-term support. We offer a full continuum of care from inpatient rehabilitation to outpatient services.

A: Yes. HealthBridge Children’s Hospital treats both traumatic and non-traumatic (anoxic) brain injuries, including those resulting from near-drowning, cardiac arrest, or respiratory failure. Anoxic injuries often affect cognitive function and independence significantly, and our team is experienced in the specialized rehabilitation approach these children require.

A: Referring physicians, hospital case managers, and discharge planners can call our dedicated referral line at (833) HB-ADMIT — (833) 422-3648 — or complete a referral form at healthbridgekids.com/contact/refer-a-patient. Our admissions team is available to discuss the child’s clinical needs and coordinate a smooth transition from the acute care setting.

A: A medically complex condition is one that is serious, often chronic, and affects multiple organ systems — such as the brain, heart, and lungs simultaneously. These children typically require coordinated care from multiple specialists, specialized equipment such as ventilators or feeding tubes, and rehabilitative therapies that go beyond what a standard skilled nursing facility can provide. Examples include polytrauma, complex wound care, ventilator-dependent respiratory conditions, and children on total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

A: Polytrauma refers to a condition in which a child has sustained multiple significant injuries affecting two or more body regions — for example, a traumatic brain injury combined with burns or orthopedic injuries. A polytrauma patient typically has an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or higher. Yes, HealthBridge Children’s Hospital provides comprehensive interdisciplinary care for pediatric polytrauma patients, including medical management, surgical coordination, and intensive rehabilitation.

A: Yes. HealthBridge Children’s Hospital is equipped to manage ventilator-dependent pediatric patients as part of our medically complex care program. Our nursing staff is highly trained in ventilator management and respiratory support, and our team works toward safe weaning protocols when clinically appropriate.

A: Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) therapy is a specialized wound care technique that uses controlled negative pressure to promote healing of complex wounds, including burns and surgical wounds. HealthBridge Children’s Hospital offers comprehensive complex wound care, including VAC therapy, for pediatric patients. Our treatment team develops individualized wound care plans and provides the rehabilitation support needed after healing progresses.

A: Yes. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) — nutrition delivered directly through a vein, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract — is managed by our experienced nursing and clinical team. TPN is often needed for children with non-functional bowel, critical illness, or conditions preventing normal feeding. HealthBridge provides the close monitoring and medical oversight that TPN management requires.

A: Yes. We provide strict isolation protocols for children with weakened immune systems who are susceptible to infection. This includes contact isolation (gowns and gloves), droplet isolation (masks, goggles, face shields), and airborne isolation as needed. Patient safety and infection control are fundamental to how we care for our most medically fragile children.

A: HealthBridge is a licensed pediatric specialty hospital, not a standard skilled nursing facility. We are accredited by the Joint Commission (JCAHO) and DNV-GL’s NIAHO program, and our staff are specifically trained in pediatric complex medical care. We offer a child-friendly environment with 24 private rooms, high staff-to-patient ratios, 24/7 nursing, and physician-directed care plans — all designed specifically for children with serious, multi-system medical needs.

A: Pediatric neuromuscular disorders are conditions that disrupt communication between the nervous system and muscles, causing muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, stiffness, and functional limitations in walking, talking, eating, and other basic activities. These disorders can be genetic, autoimmune, or caused by injury, and they can present at birth or emerge later in childhood. Examples include spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and myasthenia gravis.

A: Yes. Spinal muscular atrophy is one of the neuromuscular conditions we specialize in at HealthBridge Children’s Hospital. SMA is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder causing progressive muscle weakness. Our team, including board-certified pediatric neurologists, provides comprehensive assessment and individualized treatment plans that may include medical therapies, genetic therapy coordination, respiratory support, assistive devices, and physical and occupational therapy.

A: We treat a range of congenital muscular disorders, including inherited neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and muscular dystrophies including Duchenne, myasthenia gravis, and congenital myopathies. These conditions often present with low muscle tone, bone contractures, and cardiac or respiratory complications, and many cause significant learning challenges that we address as part of a whole-child care approach.

A: Our expert physician team conducts a thorough diagnostic workup that may include a detailed review of symptoms and family history, muscle and skin biopsies, and electrodiagnostic testing. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the team develops an individualized treatment plan in collaboration with the family.

A: Treatment plans are highly individualized and may include medical therapies such as immunosuppressive drugs; coordination of genetic therapies; pain management; assistive devices including braces and orthotics; orthopedic surgical consultation; physical and occupational therapy to maximize function and independence; and emotional and family counseling, which is critical as these conditions can progress over time.

A: HealthBridge takes a family-centered approach to care. Our team provides family education, counseling, and practical guidance at every stage of treatment. Families are integral members of the care team, and we work hard to make sure parents understand their child’s condition, treatment plan, and how to support their child’s development at home. We also offer emotional therapy and family counseling to help navigate the challenges these diagnoses bring.