Interdisciplinary Model of Care to Help MedStar National Rehabilitation Network Patients Better Understand Their Plan on Care

Patient care teams in nursing, therapy and medical affairs with MedStar National Rehabilitation Network are applying a new model of care, known as the Interdisciplinary Model of Care (IMOC), aimed at improving how health care is delivered and the experience patients expect from us. These demonstration units serve as a testing ground for physicians, nurses, case managers, therapists, and others to learn and practice the model of care before it is used at all MedStar hospitals.

The IMOC points the way to furthering our commitment to high quality, safe and evidence-based care that leads to the best results for our patients. It emphasizes how various members of the healthcare team work together to provide care that is better coordinated and more patient and family centered. The IMOC engages caregivers and patients in all aspects of daily care and discharge planning. Working in partnership with patients and families as part of the team is essential to increasing patient safety, quality care and patient satisfaction.

What does the Interdisciplinary Model of Care look like? One example is daily interdisciplinary bedside rounding, in which the care team—including the patient and family—comes together at the same time each day to discuss the patient’s treatment goals and progress. With the caregiver team present during rounds, everyone receives the same information at the same time, leading to better understanding of the patient’s plan of care.

Key features of the IMOC include specific role responsibilities for providers and associates, as well as relationship-based care and primary nursing, which emphasize creating a relationship with patients by understanding their unique stories, encouraging them to speak up about their care experience, and share with the team what is most important to them.

About MedStar National Rehabilitation Network

The MedStar National Rehabilitation Network (MedStar NRH) is a regional system of rehabilitation care that offers inpatient, day treatment and outpatient services in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.

The Network’s interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation experts provides comprehensive services to help people recover as fully as possible following illness and injury.  Rehabilitation medicine specialists, psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists work hand-in-hand with other rehab professionals to design treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique needs.  Rehabilitation plans feature a team approach and include the use of state-of-the-art technology and advanced medical treatment based on the latest rehabilitation research.  

The Network provides comprehensive programs specifically designed to aid in the rehabilitation of adults and children recovering from neurologic and orthopedic conditions such as amputation, arthritis, back and neck pain, brain injury, cancer, cardiac conditions, concussion, fibromyalgia, foot and ankle disorders, hand and upper extremity problems, post-polio syndrome, stroke, spinal cord injury and disease, and sports and work-related injuries.

Inpatient and day treatment programs are provided at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital located in Northwest Washington, D.C., and at more than 50 outpatient sites conveniently located throughout the region.  MedStar NRH is consistently ranked by physicians in U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s “Best Hospitals” for Rehabilitation, and is fully accredited by The Joint Commission,  the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), with CARF accredited specialty programs for Amputations, Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury and Stroke.

For more on MedStar NRH and to find a location near you, log on to MedStarNRH.org.