Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Inpatient
Rehabilitation Center
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Center is the only program in Broward and Palm Beach Counties providing an acute inpatient rehabilitation program for children with impairments resulting from illness or injury. Our pediatric rehabilitation program is also CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) accredited and WeeFIM credntialled. WeeFIM is an instrument that measures the severity of a patient's disability as well as the outcomes of medical rehabilitation.
Comprehensive, Child-friendly Services
Children are not small adults. We recognize that children and adolescents need specialized care in a home-like atmosphere. We offer private rehabilitation rooms which include wheelchair accessible bathrooms and showers. Our highly skilled team, led by our physiatrist, thoroughly evaluates each child. The team creates a customized care plan specific to each child and designed to promote mobility, communication, cognitive awareness, social skills and self-care. We provide a kid-friendly approach to rehabilitation, using child-sized equipment and developmentally appropriate activities.
We treat a variety of conditions including:
- Brain injury
- Chromosomal disorders
- Multiple trauma
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Near drowning
- Neurological disorders
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Spasticity
- Spina bifida
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
Depending on the need of your child, your Rehab team may consist of but is not limited to:
- Child Life services
- Humor therapy
- Neuropsychology
- Nutrition services
- Occupational therapy
- On-site education (in partnership with Broward County Public Schools)
- Orthotics/Prosthetics
- Pharmacy
- Pediatric physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation)
- Pet therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychology
- Recreational therapy
- Pediatric Rehabilitation nursing
- Respiratory therapy
- Social services
- Speech therapy
We have access to a wide range of pediatric sub-specialists. Our pediatric intensivists and hospitalists (physicians specializing in the management of hospitalized patients) provide 24-hour coverage and are available for consultation.
In addition, we offer a fully-equipped pediatric rehabilitation gym at the entrance to the unit which provides both physical and occupational therapies without leaving the pediatric setting. A “boundless” outdoor playground on the roof area between the east and north wings on the fourth floor allows all children, regardless of ability, to play and enjoy the outdoors, and to just be kids.
A Family-Centered Care Approach
We recognize that family is the strongest foundation in a child’s life and we encourage a partnership between families and healthcare professionals to best meet the child’s physical and emotional well-being. Parents receive weekly progress reports during a multi-disciplinary team conference that include updates from every member of the child’s healthcare team and consultations regarding spasticity management, therapy, mobility equipment, and orthotic and prosthetic devices. The conference provides an opportunity for parents to provide direct input into the planning of the child’s care. In keeping with our family-centered care philosophy, the hospital provides families with many comforts of home. Our Love Jen Family Support Center provides a comfortable setting for relaxation and includes tables, chairs, a television, piano, video games, computer with Internet access, and laundry and kitchen facilities. Hot lunches are also provided for families of patients so that parents do not have to leave the unit. Families may also choose to stay in our Conine Clubhouse, a residence near the hospital where patient families may stay, free of charge, based on availability.
To continue to meet the therapeutic needs of your child following discharge from the hospital, follow-up care is available through our pediatric rehabilitation outpatient services and Memorial Home Health services.
For more information on the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, please call pediatric rehabilitation coordinator, at
(954) 985-5806.
