Brain injury unit renovation unveiled at Braintree hospital

Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, located at 250 Pond St., has completed extensive renovations to its 35-bed brain injury program unit on the second floor, and when it reopens Nov. 14, it will be the only dedicated brain injury in-patient unit in the metropolitan area south of Boston.

Weve had a brain injury unit for about 30 years, but now it has been redone, said Jinia Drinkwater, director of patient care services, during a Nov. 5 open house at the hospital attended by, among others, Mayor Joseph Sullivan and Police Chief Russell Jenkins. The work took about six months to complete. The patients were moved to another floor while the renovations were in progress.

Officials emphasized that the Neurobehavioral Brain Injury Unit is tailored to meet the needs of a specific patient population at the hospital, which opened in 1975 and is owned by FiveStar Quality Care of Newton.

The unit is used for appropriate therapy as an adjunct to traditional therapy, Drinkwater said.

Dr. Douglas Katz, medical director of the acquired brain injury program, stated that the renovations underscore the hospitals commitment to service patients with the most complex cases, including those who are unconscious or minimally conscious.

In contrast to many facilities where brain injury patients are mixed among the general patient population, our hospital provides them the optimal setting to support their recovery, he stated.

Throughout the unit, special features have been incorporated to improve safety and security for patients and allow for better therapeutic treatment, among them a low-stimulation therapy gym for physical, occupational and speech language pathology sessions; a recreational therapy room featuring arts and crafts with two full-time therapists; added soundproofing to mitigate noise; soothing dcor featuring a palette of earth tone colors; an advanced security system and clutter-free hallways that allow for patient walking within the unit; and a family room within sight of the nurses station.

For further information, visit braintreerehabhospital.com or call 781-348-2500.

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Brain injury unit renovation unveiled at Braintree hospital