Shepherd Center

Working with the right rehabilitation hospital can be critical to your health and well-being, but often times, knowing the right questions to ask of a given rehab hospital can be daunting at best. Rehabilitation hospitals may all have different approaches, different staff qualifications and expertise, and different areas of specialization. Where to start? Here.

Based on real-life questions that every consumer should ask, this question-and-answer checklist is meant to help you identify which rehabilitation hospital will best meet your needs. See how the leading rehabilitation hospitals answer these key questions, as we continue to expand the number of rehab hospitals included.

Families are encouraged to take notes when asking these questions as a way to both compare programs and understand what to expect of the rehabilitation facility chosen.

  • How many patients who have injuries similar to the patient I know are treated per year at this facility?
  • The two core conditions treated at Shepherd Center are spinal cord injury and brain injury. There are a number of other conditions that result in admission at Shepherd Center, including other paralyzing neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal tumors, spina bifida, post-polio syndrome, scoliosis and spinal cord cysts. The Multiple Sclerosis Institute at Shepherd is the region's most comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation center for people with MS.
  • How many patients are being treated for this type of injury right now?
  • Shepherd Center is a 132-bed facility. Last year Shepherd Center admitted 825 people to its inpatient programs, 522 people to its day patient programs and conducted 30,000 outpatient visits. The average census is more than 100 inpatients at any given time.
  • Are there patients here whose ages are about the same as the patient I know?
  • Most Shepherd Center programs accept patients ages 12 and up. Shepherd Center has special programs for adolescents, adults and seniors.
  • Is the facility a specialty center, and if so, for how long has it focused on that specialization? What specialty accreditations does the facility have?
  • Shepherd Center has earned the highest designation for comprehensive care for spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Shepherd Center is a designated as a Model SCI Systems of Care by the National Institutes of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), part of the U.S. Department of Education. Shepherd is also accredited by Joint Commission because it is the only freestanding rehabilitation facility in the country with an Intensive Care Unit and acute care unit.
  • How many years of experience do the physicians have, on average? Staff?
  • At least half of Shepherd’s physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians with teams have been at Shepherd Center more than 10 years. Shepherd’s Medical Director and Medical Director Emeritus have been on staff for more than 25 years. Consulting physicians are frequently used and many have been associated with Shepherd Center for more than 20 years.
  • How long have the physicians practiced at the facility? Are they full-time or part-time?
  • Two-thirds of Shepherd Center’s founding physicians are still on staff. We also have several new physicians. Shepherd Center employs 135 physicians – both full-time and consulting.
  • Which physicians, therapists, and other professionals will work with the patient I know?
  • Shepherd Center has eight specialty teams for patients based on factors such as age, level of injury and degree of consciousness. Patients are treated by same team until discharge to the next level of care.
  • Who will be the patient’s primary physician, and does he/she specialize in this particular injury?
  • A patient’s primary care physician will specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation and works on the unit that serves their particular injury.
  • Is air transportation available?
  • Shepherd Center works with a variety of air ambulance companies recommended by the referring facility and/or those companies considered in-network with the patient’s primary insurance.
  • Are specialty education programs available for patients and families? What are they?
  • Shepherd Center holds mandatory 2-3 day training programs for family members, complete with a checklist, to provide direct care for loved ones. Families learn how to respond to emergencies and to look out for common signs of complications. Having a thorough understanding helps patients take full advantage of the rehabilitation process and can help prevent rehospitalization. Additional training is available on-demand in the care manual provided during a patient’s stay and on www.shepherd.org. Shepherd Center also offers a call line for patient/family questions.
  • What is the family’s role? What are the policies regarding family visitation?
  • Shepherd Center’s visitation hours are Monday - Friday: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. These are Shepherd Center’s suggested visiting hours so we can focus on optimizing the recovery of your loved one. However, we understand there may be some exceptions. In the event the family feels the need to visit more frequently, they may contact the patient’s case manager so a visitation plan can be developed.
  • Is there designated low cost housing available near your facility?
  • Shepherd Center provides temporary housing for families of newly-injured rehabilitation patients who live more than 50 miles from Atlanta. Families may use one apartment for up to 30 days. This time period can be used all at once or occasionally, as needed. The Woodruff Family Residence Center is located on the campus of Shepherd Center with 84 wheelchair-accessible, furnished suites. Each suite includes a bedroom, living space, kitchenette, pull-out sofa with queen mattress and a bathroom. Additional housing is also available at a discounted rate at local hotels and apartments for families interested in staying for an extended period of time.
  • Who will help with discharge planning before the patient comes home?
  • Patients participate in a team planning meeting once a week in which discharge options are discussed. Shepherd Center case managers have primary responsibility for implementing the discharge plan. Patients are notified when a discharge date has been set. Shepherd’s post-acute programs include outpatient services, day programs, and residential and assisted living services.
  • Are long-term follow-up services provided? If so, what are they?
  • Shepherd Center serves as an ambassador to help patients navigate their journey over a lifetime. As a patient’s discharge date approaches, they will work with their Shepherd Center team to make decisions about whether continued services are needed and decide which programs best meet your needs. Shepherd Center’s Marcus Community Bridge Program offers post-discharge client education, guidance and referral information after a catastrophic injury or illness. By collaborating with the individual and/or their family to devise a plan that will guide and educate them about resources and options available, they become better able to address psychosocial, career and medical issues that may arise during the first year after their injury or illness.
  • Are the physicians and staff currently involved with research and training? If so, in what areas?
  • N/A
  • What is the caseload size for the nursing, treatment, and counseling staff?
  • Shepherd Center staffs based on acuity. Day shift nurses may have a caseload of 4-5 patients and the night shift may be assigned 5-6 patients.