Cancer rehabilitation is a physician-directed interdisciplinary approach that is tailored to each patient's individual rehabilitative needs. In accordance with NRH's motto of Adding life to years®, the objective of the Program is to improve the patient's quality of life. Our Cancer Rehabilitation Program provides rehabilitation management of the patient through the entire continuum of care. The focus is on maximizing the patient's functional ability for optimal independence from the point of diagnosis to ambulatory care and follow-up.
The scope of the Program includes evaluation of the patient's rehabilitation potential, education of the patient, family, caregiver and health care providers in cancer rehabilitation and therapy to the patient in developing sound coping and functional skills. Besides the clinical component, the other components of the Program include Administrative Management, Education, Information Service Management and Research.
The Program cares for cancer patients with the following problems:
•Chronic and acute pain
•Impaired mobility (deconditioning, weakness or loss of flexibility)
•Decreased ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL)
•Lymphedema
•Energy management issues
•Safety/cognitive concerns (evaluation of assistive devices and adaptive equipment)
•Nutritional concerns (e.g skin integrity)
•Bladder and bowel dysfunction
•Dysphagia
•Psychosocial difficulties (e.g. depression, loss and grief)
•Vocational training needs
•Spinal and brain injuries secondary to cancer
Services Offered
Treatment interventions are based on the individual cancer site and the patient needs. Services are offered at the following phases: pre-treatment (before the medical and surgical interventions), treatment, post-treatment, recurrence and palliative. The interdisciplinary approach can include:
Independent comprehensive evaluations:
•Medical evaluation
•Rehabilitative evaluation
•Functional capacity assessment
•Psychological evaluation, as needed
Physical Therapy
•Mobility training
•Increasing strength and stamina
•Range of motion exercises
•Stretching
•Equipment recommendations
•Balance and Coordination
•Falls Prevention
•Energy Conservation
•Endurance Training
•Orthotics and Prosthetics
•Edema management
Occupational Therapy
•Activities of daily living (ADL) training
•Adaptive Device selection and training
•Upper Extremity Function training
•Transfer training
•Fracture risk reduction
•Joint contracture reduction
•Edema management
•Seating and Environmental adaptations
Speech Language Pathology (SLP)
•Oral motor evaluation of speech
•Swallowing disorders
•Cognitive function assessment
•Dysphagia assessment
•Deglutition
•Communication assistive devices
Clinical Psychology
•Stress management
•Biofeedback
•Individual and group therapy
•Cognitive behavioral therapy
Case Management
•Outpatient registration
•Insurance verification
•Clinical clearance
•Financial clearance
About Washington Cancer Institute (WCI)
The Washington Cancer Institute (WCI) at Washington Hospital Center is the Washington region’s “cancer center of choice” for patients, physicians and staff. The cancer program and services have experienced exceptional growth and development since WCI opened in the Spring of 1992. Today, WCI sees nearly 400 cancer outpatients each day.
The Washington Cancer Institute is the most comprehensive, integrated and interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art cancer care center in the metropolitan area. Understanding that each patient’s needs are different, experts from a variety of disciplines work together to develop an individualized treatment plan coordinated by an oncology nurse who serves as their advocate. WCI and its healthcare team strive to meet the patient’s physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs to enhance their quality of life. With prevention and early detection, inpatient and outpatient care, home care and hospice care. WCI provides countless services not only to meet the patient’s needs, but to ensure that their care is a convenient and supportive as possible.
Staff and Facilities
NRH Regional Rehab is staffed by a team of board certified physiatrists and physicians in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Neurology and Internal Medicine and a team of experienced therapists. The team has expertise in evaluating and treating patients with an individualized, practical course of intervention that is both efficient and effective. Patients benefit from the wealth of expertise available at NRH, the Washington area's only freestanding, comprehensive medical rehabilitation hospital.
Financial Arrangements
NRH Regional Rehab participates in most major insurance carriers and health maintenance organizations. A case manager or office manager will discuss your insurance with you at the time of the referral.
Information and Referrals
For specific questions about the Program please contact the Oncology Program Coordinator, Tonge Helmsley at 202.877.1758. For inpatient services on the NRH campus, please contact: the Referral Manager, Admissions Office for Inpatient Care, 202.877.1182. Psychology referrals may be made by calling the NRH Psychology Service at 202.877.1120.