TIRR Memorial Hermann

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?
  • a. In 2008 TIRR admitted 1151 patients. Of these patients:
    i. 306 had a stroke
    ii. 203 had a traumatic brain injury
    iii. 111 had a non-traumatic brain injury
    iv. 214 had a traumatic spinal cord injury
    v. 76 had a non-traumatic spinal cord injury
    vi. 53 had neurological disorders
    vii. 16 had a fracture of the lower extremity
    viii. 5 had a lower extremity joint replacement
    ix. 8 had other orthopedic issues
    x. 13 had a lower extremity amputation
    xi. 6 had an amputation other than the lower extremity
    xii. 4 had rheumatoid arthritis
    xiii. 4 had cardiac disorders
    xv. 5 had major multiple trauma, no brain injury or spinal cord injury
    xvi. 91 had major multiple trauma, with brain or spinal cord injury
    xvii. 12 had Guillain-Barré syndrome
    xviii. 2 had burns
    xix. 19 miscellaneous
  • How many patients are being treated for this type of injury right now?
  • a. Patients change on a daily basis, however, the 2008 numbers listed above give a good indication of the breakdown of injury and illnesses. We have one floor dedicated to spinal cord injuries and another floor dedicated to brain injury and stroke. Patient care staff on other floors are equipped to handle these patients if the dedicated floors are full.
  • Are there patients here whose ages are about the same as the patient I know?
  • a. Patients at TIRR include those of all ages. Patients admitted to the Program for Children and Adolescents must be 13 years of age or older. On occasion, a child younger than 13 may be admitted, at the discretion of the attending physician. Children younger than 13 should weigh at least 50 kilograms (110 pounds). Children who are ventilator-dependent are not admitted if they are less than 13 years old.
  • 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?
  • a. Recognized among the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the country, U.S. News & World Report has named TIRR to the list of “Americas Best Hospitals” each year since the survey began in 1991. We are currently ranked fourth. Our reputation is based on nearly 50 years of experience in rehabilitation and research, the high caliber of our physician partners and clinical staff and our comprehensive programs and services.
    b. TIRR is one of only six hospitals in the nation to achieve designation as a Model System by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) for both our spinal cord and traumatic brain injury programs.
    c. TIRR provides comprehensive medical rehabilitation for individuals who have experienced a traumatic brain injury or stroke, spinal cord injury, amputation or multiple amputations, multiple trauma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or other neurological or neuromuscular disorders and complex orthopedic injuries.
    d. We are also recognized for our long-standing commitment to educating patients, families, healthcare professionals, caregivers and the general public about rehabilitation.
  • How many years of experience do the physicians have, on average? Staff?
  • a. TIRR attending physicians have an average of 11 years of experience.
  • How long have the physicians practiced at the facility? Are they full-time or part-time?
  • a. TIRR is a teaching hospital. As one of the leading rehabilitation organizations in the United States, with two top medical school affiliations, Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas Medical School at Houston (UT Medical School), TIRR Memorial Hermann attracts nationally and internationally recognized physicians in the field of PM&R (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation). Our attending medical staff is primarily comprised of board certified PM&R physicians employed by one of the two prestigious medical schools who treat a wide range of diagnoses from multiple sclerosis to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
    b. A physician is available on-site 24/7 which allows for quick response to patient needs.
  • Which physicians, therapists, and other professionals will work with the patient I know?
  • a. The care of each patient admitted to TIRR is managed by a full interdisciplinary team of highly-qualified individuals with specialized training in the field of rehabilitation. The team, led by a physician that is a specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, music therapists, rehabilitation nurses, pharmacists, social workers, case managers, dietitians, therapeutic recreation specialists, neuropsychologists, and respiratory therapists. Each team member contributes to the overall plan of care for the patient.
  • Who will be the patient’s primary physician, and does he/she specialize in this particular injury?
  • a. Each patient will have a primary PM&R physician who specializes in the injury or illness affecting the patient.
    b. The majority of our attending physicians have teaching affiliations with Baylor and/or UT Medical School and they are instrumental in training future PM&R physicians In addition to its attending physicians, TIRR Memorial Hermann has an equally impressive roster of physicians with consulting relationships who bring expertise in a number of specialized areas of medicine related to rehabilitation.
    c. PM&R physicians or rehabilitation physicians are nerve, muscle, and bone experts who treat injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. Rehabilitation physicians have completed training in the medical specialty physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R).
  • Is air transportation available?
  • a. The Admissions team at TIRR can schedule airport assistance for you and your traveling companions. The Houston Airport System provides special service representatives who are fluent in 20 languages and are on call 24 hours a day, ready to assist arriving patients with baggage claims, transportation, hotel selection and information on their chosen healthcare provider.
    b. This service is available at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, as well as Hobby Airport. Please ask for assistance from the Admissions department in arranging for this specialized service prior to your arrival. The International Medical Visitor Service Center at Bush Intercontinental Airport is available to international patients and visitors of the Texas Medical Center. Located on the ground floor of the international terminal, the center offers a comfortable place to relax after a long flight
  • Are specialty education programs available for patients and families? What are they?
  • a. Patients and families are strongly encouraged to attend all of the relevant education classes that we offer such as RAPS (Readiness and Preparation for Self-Care) classes for SCI patients and Family Times for brain injury and stroke patients. Chaplaincy classes and services are offered for all patients and families. Weekend activities and occasional evening activities are also offered and encouraged for patients and families.
  • What is the family’s role? What are the policies regarding family visitation?
  • a. One family member per patient is allowed to remain in the patient’s room overnight with permission of the patient’s physician and care team. However, visitors are not allowed to sleep in the same bed with the patient and provisions will be made for separate sleeping arrangements. If the patient is in a semi-private room and their staying family member is of the opposite sex, permission must be obtained by the roommate as well, to address any concerns with privacy or comfort. In some instances, for the benefit of the patient, the physician and care team may request that family members do not remain with the patient overnight. Additionally, minors are not permitted to remain in the facility overnight.
    b. Family and friends play an integral part in the healing process and for this reason we encourage visitation and participation. However, children are not allowed to remain in the facility overnight. It is also important to note that a hospital visitation can place children at risk by placing them in an environment that has potential for transmitting illness. If you plan to bring small children to the hospital it is advised that they not be left unattended. Likewise, during certain times of the year, such as flu season, we respectfully request that children not be brought to the hospital for visitation in order to prevent the introduction of seasonal illnesses such as flu to our patients.
    c. Hospital visiting hours are from 9 am-9 pm daily. During this time we encourage family members/caregivers to come and participate in family/caregiver training and rounding as it contributes greatly to the overall plan of care.
  • Is there designated low cost housing available near your facility?
  • a. Many hotels, motels and campgrounds are located near the Texas Medical Center, and several offer special discounts for patients and visitors. The Social Work department at TIRR Memorial Hermann has compiled a list of local hotel and motel accommodations that we make available to patients, family members and friends. Many of these facilities have wheelchair accessible rooms. Please call 713-797-5201 for more information.
  • Who will help with discharge planning before the patient comes home?
  • a. Discharge planning starts before admission in order to help focus goals towards the best plan for treatment.
    b. The interdisciplinary care team will make recommendations for discharge based on the patient’s medical needs and level of functional ability. Recommendations will be made in a way that encourage the patient’s functional independence in the least restrictive setting possible, while keeping in mind patient safety and caregiver burden. Our Case Management and Social Work staff will assist with coordinating any post-discharge needs to ensure a seamless transition to the next level of care. We assist with arranging physician follow-up appointments and will coordinate any special equipment needs that you may have as well. If indicated, you may follow-up with your TIRR physician after discharge in the TIRR outpatient clinic.
  • Are long-term follow-up services provided? If so, what are they?
  • a. TIRR’s Physician and Specialty Clinic, and TIRR Memorial Hermann Kirby Glen (a facility that offers Day Rehabilitation and Outpatient Rehabilitation), provide follow up services.
    b. The Physician and Specialty Clinic at TIRR Memorial Hermann is a physician-based clinic designed to meet the needs of individuals who require initial or continuing rehabilitation care with a physician. Services at TIRR are available through a variety of specialty clinics and programs staffed by physicians and a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. Services range from initial evaluation and diagnosis to follow-up care.
    c. Patients who have had catastrophic injuries or illnesses often need lifelong follow-up through outpatient rehabilitation to detect and prevent complications and address issues of aging with a disability. TIRR Memorial Hermann Kirby Glen provides a comprehensive range of therapeutic services to adults and children, all customized to meet an individual’s
  • Are the physicians and staff currently involved with research and training? If so, in what areas?
  • a. In coordination with the Clinical Innovation and Research Institute at Memorial Hermann, the following is a cross-section of sample research currently in progress or recently completed at TIRR.
    i. Traumatic Brain Injury
    ii. Spinal Cord Injury
    iii. Stroke
    iv. Disability Advocacy
  • What is the caseload size for the nursing, treatment, and counseling staff?
  • a. There is one nurse and one patient care assistant (PCA) assigned to 5-6 patients.
    b. Each therapist is assigned to 5-6 patients with the assistance of therapy technicians as needed in addition to the primary therapist.
    c. Each social worker is assigned about 20 patients.