Clinical Levels of Care at Shepherd Center
Shepherd Center located in Atlanta, Georgia, provides the following clinical levels of care:
Intensive Care Unit
Patients who require 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision are admitted to Shepherd Center's 10-bed Intensive Care Unit. Direct nursing care typically averages between 12-24 hours per day in the ICU. Patients who are medically unstable, require vital sign monitoring at least every two hours and may be participating in ventilator weaning are appropriate for the ICU.
- For more information download our Intensive Care Unit Fact Sheet
Acute Medical Care
This level of care is for patients who require 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision, and at least five hours of direct nursing care daily. A patient at this level may not be able to participate in three hours of therapy per day, but therapy will be provided based on physician orders.
Disorders of Consciousness Program
If a patient has experienced a traumatic brain injury (Rancho I-III) within the last 30 to 45 days, but is unable to participate in an acute rehabilitation program, they may be admitted as a Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) Program patient. Patients at this level require 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision. This intervention program is designed to help patients transition to an acute rehabilitation level of care, or prepare and train family members to take the patient home for further recovery.
Acute Rehabilitation
This level of rehabilitation care is for people who have sustained a functional loss due to a spinal cord or brain injury, or other disabling injury or illness. At this level of care, patients have access to 24-hour nursing care and medical supervision, and are able to participate in a minimum of three hours of functional training per day for three consecutive days.
Day Program Rehabilitation
Shepherd Center's Day Program offers comprehensive and concentrated rehabilitation care on an extended outpatient basis for people who have sustained a functional loss due to a spinal cord or brain injury, or other disabling injury or illness. The Day Program requires patients to enroll in two or more coordinated therapy or nursing services. Patients and their caregiver are given access to nearby living quarters while participating in this program.
Outpatient Rehabilitation
Shepherd Center's Outpatient Rehabilitation Program provides medical treatment, single-service therapies and care for people with disabilities for a wide variety of needs on an outpatient basis, as well as case management and rehabilitation, to support continued recovery and independence.