Hypoxia

I am trying to locate the best rehab. facility to take someone who has recently (one week ago) suffered Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.  She is 42, was in perfect health.  Her heart went into defib. for some as of yet unknown reason.  She is breathing without a ventilator but is still in a coma.  She is currently in a hospital in Illinois, but the family will take her anywhere that the best available treatment is to get the maximum recovery.  We were just wondering if there were places that specialized in rehab. for this kind of brain trauma.

Thanks

[vega1318]

Since  your loved one is not able to participate in rehabilitation, the best bet for her at this point is finding a place where nursing care is the best that can be.   She is now at risk for bedsores, pneumonia and other bedbound complications - so those need to be taken care of first.   If her brain is to recover and she wakes up, she should be then taken to a more acute or subacute rehabilitation facility where they can work with her.
Many TBI facilities usually specialize in patients whose brain function allows them to be somewhat interactive at which point rehabilitation can begin.   If she's in a coma, it may be difficult.

There are also a few centers - I believe one in Cornell - that enrolls patients into a study 1 yr after their injury for brain stimulation.   It is completely experimental and she may not qualify but you should look into it.  

all the best.

[Johnrand]

Look up the chiropractic neurology board, and find a certified specialist near you.  Insurance probably wont help, but these doctors actually do something instead of just prescribe medicine.  Good luck...give it a chance.  things happen very slowly.

[magnancy]

Thank you for your responses.  The goal here is to "hit the ground running" if/when some level of consciousness returns.  I don't know how critical the time factor is in a situation like this, but we are hoping to have some idea of the best facility for her condition so that we can act quickly and decisively.

I did find the Cornell study for deep brain stimulation for patients in a minimally conscious state which is very encouraging and I will continue to follow this.

But, if there is a recommendation of a "cutting edge" rehabilitation facility that specializes in this area, assuming consciousness is restored, we would appreciate it.

Thank you

[vega1318]

Kessler Institute in NJ and Transitions in Long Island, NY are both very good.