Stroke

The Rehabilitation Center at SCVMC
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WATCH EXTERNAL VIDEO*Experience Leads to Better Outcomes
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center Rehabilitation has an exceptional depth and breadth of experience with stroke patients, with excellent patient outcomes. Based on independent national data, our patients with stroke also made significantly greater functional gains when compared to regional and national averages. Each year approximately 250-300 people receive inpatient rehab in a specialized unit dedicated for stroke care. These outcomes highlight the work of our skilled, experienced and compassionate staff, and enable stroke survivors and their families to rely on our rehabilitation program to foster optimal psychological, social, vocational and economic adjustment.
A Team Approach to Care
The Rehabilitation Center helped pioneer the multidisciplinary team approach to neuro-rehabilitation and continues to develop innovations and make contributions to the understanding and treatment stroke recovery. The team-oriented approach to care is led and coordinated by the largest number of board-certified physiatrists (physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation) on the West Coast, along with other physician specialists including neurologists, nurses, therapists, social workers, case managers, psychologists and other health professionals with specialized training in stroke. Throughout the inpatient experience and beyond, the most important members of this team are the individuals with stroke and their families who are encouraged and supported to take part in every aspect of care.

Special Stroke & General Rehabilitation Programs
Stroke Support Group
Stroke is a complex and serious medical condition that can impair speech, motion, the thinking process, memory and the ability to carry out a wide range of functions that were once taken for granted as part of everyday life. For these reasons, the aftermath of stroke can be a time of anxiety, uncertainty and even despair for the stroke survivor as well as family members and care-givers. The groups are open to all Stroke survivors and their family members.
Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit (RRU)
Critical Services for Patients, a Valuable Resource for Referring Physicians:
The Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit is a unique component of our overall rehabilitation program. The availability of this intensive care setting within the Rehabilitation Center allows for earliest possible admission and treatment following a brain injury or stroke, providing rehabilitation-focused care for medically complex patients including those who have just had or are about to have surgery.
The use of medical intensivists in the RRU, physicians who specialize in the care of critically ill or injured patients, is an approach that SCVMC helped pioneer and is a valuable complement to the work of the spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in the operating room. Although the RRU primarily treats individuals with traumatic brain injury or stroke accompanied by respiratory concerns are also cared for in this distinctive medical setting.
The Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit is also equipped with a helipad, and accepts patients from across Silicon Valley. Having the highest level of emergency response on the same campus as the Rehabilitation Center means that patients don’t have to be transferred to other facilities if the need for a higher level of care arises.
Ventilator Dependent Program - A note to physicians:
The Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit provides around-the-clock respiratory management for ventilator dependent patients. Our specialization in invasive and non-invasive respiratory technology has resulted in an outstanding record of successful vent weaning and home discharge. In addition, our rate of pulmonary emboli occurrence is exceptionally low and therapeutic bronchoscopies average less than one per 100 patients.
Patient and Family Education
Patient and family stroke education classes are provided that include information about what a stroke is and how it affects the body, prevention of another stroke, necessary diet changes, recovery of physical and cognitive skills, and safety concerns. Individual and family peer and support groups are available as part of the inpatient program and after you leave.

Stroke Rehabilitation Demographics
Stroke Rehabilitation Discharge Outcomes
Stroke Rehabilitation Program Scope of Care
Accreditations
- Accredited by The Joint Commission and certified by Medi-Cal and Medicare.
- Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for Inpatient Rehabilitation Stroke Specialty Program Adults.

Patient Story

Meet With Hatim
He suffered a stroke while vacationing in Hawaii. He and his family heard good things about SCVMC Rehab and wanted to get back closer to home, and they were able to fly to San Jose.
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SCVMC Stroke Program
Lawnae chose one of the nation’s leading Stroke programs for her recovery.
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The Rehabilitation Center
A compassionate and high-skilled team were Angie’s cheerleaders in recovery.
*By clicking on the “Watch External Video” button, you will leave this website, enter a non-County of Santa Clara website, and be subject to the destination website’s privacy policy. Please see our Links Policy for more information.