The Rehab Cycle

Assignment and Intervention

Each intervention target was assigned to the appropriate health care team members who included Mr. Seiler’s physician, nurse, physical and occupational therapist. An assessment of each of the intervention targets was performed at the beginning of the Rehab Cycle using specific tests or examinations by the responsible health professional (see Table 3).

A number of interventions performed are worth highlighting. While the health care team hesitated in allowing Mr. Seiler to attempt walking, they finally agreed given his rapid recovery and enthusiasm. Walking was included as an intervention target to meet Cycle Goal 2. This intervention was carried out by either the nurse or physical therapist who accompanied and supported Mr. Seiler during brief walking activities.

Box 2: Mr. Seiler's ASIA Scale

Looking after one’s health was integral to the latter two Cycle Goals and clearly important for recovery overall. It focused on the instruction for health behavior activities, including specific self-exercises. Instructional counseling and education intended to prevent future health problems and complications such as pressure sores and additional injury to Mr. Seiler’s cervical spine. This intervention target was undertaken by every member of the team.

Additionally, Mr. Seiler also contributed greatly to the interventions through his own initiative, not only by giving 100 percent to each intervention, but also through taking an active role and performing additional training each day on his own.

Table 3: Intervention and assignment table

Mr. Seiler is an extraordinary patient. He has lived a very disciplined life and has an extraordinary awareness for his body. He’s extremely dynamic — always in motion with both body and mind. Given all of this, he is also very realistic and this provides a strong decision-making ability. Attributes like this really supported him during the rehabilitation — he made enormous advances in his recovery over a very short time period. — Mr. Seiler’s physical therapist at the end of his Rehab Cycle

For Mr. Seiler’s rehabilitation program, the interventions were carried out over a period of four weeks with a final evaluation performed to determine how well the goals were met.