What Are Disorders of Consciousness?
Vegetative state, unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, and minimally conscious state are terms that are often used to describe patients who have a disorder of consciousness (DoC). Patients can range from completely unconscious to confusion as to where they are and what they're doing. Causes of disorders of consciousness most often occur following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), anoxic brain injury (reduced blood supply/oxygen to the brain) or stroke that results in severely altered level of awareness and wakefulness.
About the Program
The Disorders of Consciousness Program at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation – Dallas provides specialized assessment and treatment for improving function in individuals with a disorder of consciousness. Detailed education and training for caregivers plays a big part in this program and is critical to being able to bring your loved one home.
Our DoC program meets and exceeds all requirements for treating persons with disorders of consciousness set forth by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) program, sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR).
Program Goals
Out top priority is to help you bring your loved one home. We address responsiveness and identify a means of communication for family members as best as possible. Additionally, we will identify and order necessary medical equipment and train family members to care for and advocate on the behalf of your loved one.
Disorders of Consciousness Team
- Physician
- Neuropsychologist
- Case Manager
- Physical Therapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Rehab Nurse (24-Hours/Day)
- Neurology/Surgery access on
Baylor University Medical Center Campus
Program Services
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Respiratory therapy
- Pharmacy services
- Vision services
- Wheelchair seating clinic
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Music therapy
- Chaplain services
Eligible Patients
Patients appropriate for this program are no longer in a coma (meaning their eyes are open at least some of the time), but have not regained a level of consciousness that allows them to respond consistently to their environment, communicate reliably or complete basic self-care activities.
Contact Us
To determine if this program is right for your loved one or if you would like more information, please fill out our Contact Us form or call 214.820.9300.