The Department of Labor and Training is an equal opportunity employer/program; auxiliary aids and services are available on request to individuals

Transcription

1 Chief Judge Robert F. Arrigan Rehabilitation Center 249 Blackstone Boulevard Providence, RI (401) Fax (401) The Department of Labor and Training is an equal opportunity employer/program; auxiliary aids and services are available on request to individuals with disabilities. TTY via RI Relay 711 Chief Judge Robert F. Arrigan Rehabilitation Center RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND TRAINING, DIVISION OF WORKERS COMPENSATION

2 Contents History...2 Mission Statement - What Makes Us Different...3 Facility Intake Process and Treating Physician s Role Rehabilitation Services Available...7 Chronic Pain Programs...9 Rehabilitation Psychology and Ergonomic Assessments Additional Rehabilitation Services - Vocational Services Directions... 13

3 History Originally known as the Curative Centre of Rhode Island, the Center was created by legislation enacted in 1943 by then Governor J. Howard McGrath. The Curative Centre was to have opened for business in February of 1945, but the first patient was not seen until April 21, 1945 because of difficulties in obtaining the necessary equipment during World War II. John E. Donley, M.D., the Center s first medical director, stated that the Curative Centre s unofficial motto was, You can coax nature back to work but you cannot coerce her. Following Dr. Donley s death in 1960, the Curative Centre was renamed in his honor. A physical expansion also took place in 1983 with the construction of a new wing, which included among other things a therapeutic warm-water pool and a work hardening area. In July 2017, the Donley Center was renamed The Chief Judge Robert F. Arrigan Rehabilitation Center, in honor of the first Chief Judge of the Rhode Island Workers Compensation Court. During his tenure, Chief Judge Arrigan worked tirelessly to transform a dysfunctional workers compensation system into an internationally recognized model of efficiency. Dr. John E. Donley Hon. Robert F. Arrigan Goal of the Arrigan Rehabilitation Center To restore every Rhode Island injured worker to health, social independence, and optimal working capacity by providing a multidisciplinary level of care that is comprehensive in nature and administered by highly qualified, licensed, and compassionate staff. How we serve the injured workers of Rhode Island The Arrigan Center is unique in having assembled a multidisciplinary team of nurses, medical assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, behavioral psychologists, social workers, vocational counselors, and physicians working together in one place. Together they provide comprehensive, individualized treatment programs that are essential for effective, successful, and efficient recovery. Rhode Island is the only state in the United States that offers this benefit. What makes us different? The Arrigan Rehabilitation Center provides services exclusively for employees injured in Rhode Island. The Center is committed to restoring injured workers to productive lives through advanced and effective methods of rehabilitation. We understand the complex world of work injury management. We are uniquely positioned within the workers compensation system to provide comprehensive and valuable rehabilitation services to injured workers. We do not require insurance approval for participation in our programs, so there is never an interruption in service as is often the case in many private outpatient centers. Also, there is never a fee for our services. MISSION STATEMENT - 3

4 Facility The Center Offers: Spacious gym equipped with all necessary strengthening, conditioning, and flexibility equipment One of the largest therapy pools in Southern New England, which is 20 meters in length and has a constant temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit Chronic pain treatment area Work hardening room where the physical demands of most jobs can be reproduced Occupational therapy room for specialized treatment of complicated elbow, hand, and wrist injuries Computer lab for instructional courses and job-seeking Career Resource Center for vocational testing Ample parking with upper and lower parking lots Intake Process At the initial visit to the Arrigan Center, patients meet with either a registered nurse or a medical assistant who completes the intake evaluation, reviews any secondary medical issues, reviews the details of the work injury, and discusses those services that will assist in achieving the goal of returning to work. Throughout treatment, the nurse or the medical assistant coordinates the program and is available to the clients to address questions and/or concerns. INTAKE PROCESS - 5

5 Arrigan Center Physician Our physician evaluates patients for medical conditions that relate to total health and provides input into the rehabilitation program. Our physician may also help facilitate communication by acting as a liaison between the Center and the patient s referring physician and other health care providers. Treating Physician s Role The treating physician directs the rehabilitation program. Clients are encouraged to see their physician at any time during the course of treatment. Arrigan Center staff provide timely and detailed reports, chronicling the progress of every patient. Rehabilitation Services Available Physical Therapy Physical Therapy is frequently a central component of the rehabilitation program. Through various forms of therapeutic exercise, injured workers regain strength, endurance and flexibility. Our clients are also taught safe and effective ways to perform home and work activities. Aquatic Therapy The aquatic environment is an ideal setting for working with painful conditions. Our therapeutic pool is heated and this promotes relaxation. Exercising in the water reduces the effect of gravity and this often allows clients to regain movement with less tension and effort. REHABILITATION SERVICES AVAILABLE -7

6 Occupational Therapy Injured workers with complicated elbow, wrist, finger or hand injuries may receive occupational therapy. The occupational therapist has special training in the treatment of upper extremity injuries. In addition to exercise, the occupational therapist is able to make splints and provide suggestions for adaptive equipment. Our staff includes several certified hand therapists. Work Hardening Work hardening therapy is an important part of the rehabilitation effort. Through the use of work simulation activities, the physical demands of any job can be reproduced. Performing these tasks in our controlled and supervised work therapy area allows the progressive and safe restoration of strength, endurance and confidence necessary for a successful return to work. The Arrigan Center staff may visit the work site and recommend work site modifications when appropriate. Specialized testing known as a Functional Capacity Evaluation enables us to determine an injured worker s present work capacities and to develop realistic goals for the future. Chronic Pain Programs The Arrigan Center offers two pain management treatment programs: 1) Comprehensive Pain Management Program: This is an integrated program of physical/occupational therapy, psychological counseling, and vocational services when appropriate. This program focuses on pain self-management based upon a biopsychosocial (mind/body) approach. It does not include interventional pain management, but the team is open to working in conjunction with physicians who provide these treatments. In this context, pain management does not mean pain relief, but rather amelioration of suffering, and improved function and quality of life, as well as being prepared to return to the workforce. 2) Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management Program: The focus of this program is essentially the same as that of the Comprehensive Pain Management Program; however, the distinction between this program and the Comprehensive Pain Management Program is that Arrigan Center staff can make recommendations back to the court for consideration of referral(s) to outside pain management medical providers (e.g., chiropractors; massage therapists; addiction specialists; acupuncturists) who would work with the Arrigan Center staff in an integrated treatment program for the injured worker. Candidates for the Interdisciplinary Chronic Pain Management Program will be admitted only by order from The Rhode Island Workers Compensation Court. CHRONIC PAIN PROGRAMS - 9

7 Rehabilitation Psychology Psychological Counseling is available to assist injured workers in addressing issues arising from their injury that have added distress, so they do not pose barriers to recovery from their injury. These issues might include financial hardship, loss of independence, pain, domestic challenges, sleep disturbance, and fear. In short-term counseling, a licensed psychologist or clinical social worker will help the injured worker understand and cope with these difficulties in either a private/one-on-one or group setting. Cognitive behavioral therapy provides a theoretical framework for counseling. In cases of traumatic injury, specialized treatment strategies can be used to help the injured worker overcome emotional sequalae of the trauma and be prepared to resume gainful employment. Ergonomic Assessments The Arrigan Center has ergonomic specialists who can assess an employee s work station and make recommendations to relieve musculoskeletal stress, improve blood-flow, and promote a safer environment. We must obtain permission from the employer to evaluate the work station, and it is most beneficial if the employee is present at the time of the evaluation to ensure accuracy of the job demands. Many changes are often made the same day as the evaluation. Following through on any potential equipment recommendations is at the discretion of the employer. Additional Rehabilitation Services Vocational Services Vocational Recovery can take a variety of forms. Initially, a vocational counselor will meet face-to-face with an injured worker and conduct an intake assessment according to the Rhode Island Workers Compensation Court Medical Advisory Board s Initial Vocational Assessment Protocol Guidelines. After this assessment, the counselor will make return-to-work recommendations. The bases of these recommendations emanate from the Rhode Island Workers Compensation Court, Medical Advisory Board s Hierarchy of Vocational Rehabilitation. For example, if an injured worker is eligible to return to work with his/her employer, a vocational counselor will attempt to discuss (and can negotiate) his/her return to work by suggesting that an employer make accommodation(s) to the job so he/she can return to work despite some continuing disability. If it is not possible for an injured worker to return to work with his/her employer, the vocational counselor will recommend re-employment services and, if indicated, locate training opportunities. ADDITIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES - 11

8 Interpreters Professional interpreters are available upon request for most languages including ASL. Tours of The Arrigan Center Tours of The Arrigan Center are available upon request prior to referral or treatment. A tour can be arranged by contacting the facility at (401) Visit the Arrigan Center online at: Directions to The Arrigan Center The Arrigan Center is located on the northern East Side of Providence and is accessible from interstate highway as well as by public transit. To reach The Arrigan Center from Interstate 95 North or South, take Interstate 195 to Gano Street, Exit 3. Turn right onto Gano Street and continue to the second traffic light at Pitman Street. Turn right onto Pitman Street and follow to the bottom of the hill to Butler Avenue. Take a left onto Butler Avenue and follow it straight until it becomes Blackstone Boulevard. The Arrigan Center is located approximately.6 of a mile on the right. Our phone number is: (401) For updated bus schedules, please visit RIPTA online at or call (401) , ext DIRECTIONS TO THE ARRIGAN CENTER - 13