Neuro rehabilitation

Improving rehabilitation access

There have been significant advancements in neuro-rehabilitative technologies and the application of evidence-based neuro-rehabilitation interventions, however, they have yet to reach their full potential. Neurologic patients currently wait between 15 to 25 days in acute-care before being transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. The creation of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Innovation Centre will provide patients with early access to innovative treatments and state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology during the acute phase of their neurological illness, greatly improving outcomes and recovery.

The average wait time to be transferred to an in-patient rehabilitation facility is 15-25 days

By 2031, the estimated number of Canadians hospitalized with a brain injury will increase by 28%

Neuro illness and injuries are the leading cause of disability in Alberta and around the world

The project

This project entails building a state-of-the-art neuro-rehabilitation centre on the 5th floor of the University of Alberta Hospital. The Innovation Centre will encompass more than 200 square meters of research and rehabilitation space, including a modernly designed neuro-rehabilitation gymnasium, designated research-treatment spaces, and an electrophysiology research suit. The Innovation Centre will be designed to foster partnerships and collaboration between researchers and clinicians, who will work together in the same space. Patients will receive rehabilitation under the observation of researchers, offering the researchers a firsthand view of patient’s difficulties, and research will be inspired by these real-world challenges. Patients, clinicians, and researchers will work in tandem to identify and prioritize patient problems that need solving, enabling fast, real-time translation of research into patient care. The research will answer clinically important questions that are meaningful and specific to patient’s needs and goals.
“A new Neuro Rehabilitation Innovation Centre will put us on the world stage of neurologic rehab patient care and acute care research.”

Dr. Chester Ho

The benefits

Integrating translational research into clinical practice as well as providing early access to rehabilitative technologies will have a positive impact on patients and their families, including improved health outcomes and satisfaction with acute rehabilitative care. Healthcare providers will experience positive workplace outcomes due to new inter-professional collaboration between healthcare professionals and new clinical learning opportunities.

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