RIC's AMiCouS® - Assessment of Minimally Conscious State
Expert, Caring Support When You Face Challenging Decisions
If you have to choose care for an unresponsive loved one with a severe brain injury , you may feel you are being asked to make decisions without concrete information. Brain injury is a highly complex condition that affects each patient differently and creates a level of uncertainty in planning for the future. You may hear terms such as “vegetative state” or “minimally conscious” without fully understanding how they apply to your loved one.
You want to make the right decision for your loved one’s care. The physicians and therapists in the Brain Injury Medicine and Rehabilitation Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) can help. RIC is a nationally recognized leader in brain injury medicine and rehabilitation and a leading expert in assessment of minimally conscious state, so you can feel confident in your care decisions.
The AMiCouS program is a first-of-its-kind program in the nation designed specifically to assess brain injured patients in the minimally conscious state. The program aims to identify the best next steps early on and assist in making a smooth transition to the next phase of care, whether that is at home with loved ones or in a skilled care setting.
Goals of the AMICouS Program for Brain Injury:
- Determine a patient’s level of consciousness and responsiveness
- Advise on medical stability for continued care
- Optimize his or her medication regimen
- Ensure he or she is provided with medical equipment properly
- Educate the patient’s family and caregivers about their loved one’s condition and ongoing care
Thorough Examination through a Close Clinical Relationship
Throughout the two week inpatient stay in the AMiCouS program, your loved one will be in the care of an interdisciplinary team of experts including a rehabilitation physician, registered nurses, licensed physical and occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language pathologists. Clinicians will work closely with you and your loved one to observe the smallest indications of returning consciousness and ability to communicate and interact with others. Upon completion of the AMiCouS program, clinicians will provide you with a comprehensive assessment of your loved one’s level of consciousness and help facilitate continued care.
Should You Pursue the AMiCouS Program for Your Loved One?
Brain injury affects each patient differently; no two cases are the same. There are many factors that contribute to a patient’s consideration for the AMiCouS program and no single determining criterion. Patients that have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, assessed as being in a “minimally conscious” or “vegetative” state and are clinically stable enough to potentially benefit from intensive rehabilitation care will be considered for the AMiCouS program.
Making an Appointment
We work with patient’s families and their physicians to quickly and easily take referrals and schedule patients for treatment.
Have your physician write a referral for an RIC physician consultation. Then, contact the RIC Admitting Department at 800-354-REHAB to schedule an initial evaluation. If your loved one is currently in a hospital or skilled care setting, ask the case manager at the facility to initiate a referral to RIC.