Patient Care

Peer Support

If you are like many people who have experienced a catastrophic injury or illness, your stay in the acute care hospital or trauma center was punctuated by the thought "Thank God, I survived!" But now the long road of rehabilitation has begun, and it is totally new territory for you. To help you through the next few steps on your journey, it might be helpful to visit with someone who has a child who experienced a similar injury or illness and has been through rehabilitation.

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital's Peer Volunteer Program matches parents of children who have completed rehabilitation with people who are just starting the process of rehabilitation for the purpose of sharing meaningful life experiences and providing hope for the future. Adolescents who completed rehab are also available as a peer volunteer.

Peer Volunteers contribute in a number of ways, including:

• Sharing information regarding the Madonna rehabilitation experience with individuals who are considering admission to Madonna, and/or their family members. They can answer questions about their day to day experiences from the perspective of the patient and/or family member.
• Visiting individually with a patient and/or family member while they are an inpatient or outpatient at Madonna. Specially trained Peer Volunteers listen to your concerns, share their experiences, and provide encouragement and support.

Passy-Muir Center of Excellence

Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital has been designated a Passy-Muir, Inc. Center of Excellence. Madonna’s Pulmonary Program staff and patients are featured in Passy-Muir’s World Progress Report documentary. The video illustrates the life-changing benefits of the Passy-Muir Valve for ventilator and tracheostomy tube patients when utilized by a team of skilled rehabilitation specialists.

Websites

American Lung Association (ALA)
www.lugusa.org

US COPD Coalition
www.uscopd.com

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
www.webmd.comsleep-disorders/sleep-apnea