Definition Frameworks

Rehab is delivered in a wide variety of settings, including: acute care, rehabilitation and complex continuing care hospitals; long-term care; and the community. Clear definitions and standards of practice for rehab programs are needed to provide clarity for patients, families and referring professionals and to ensure consistent quality of patient care.

To address this issue, the Network developed frameworks for all major rehab populations. Each framework includes definitions and evidence-based benchmarks. Self-assessment tools allow organizations to monitor and evaluate their rehab programs against the definition frameworks.

In addition to improving the consistency and quality of rehabilitation care across the continuum, the frameworks and tools will enable discussions regarding system planning, resourcing of rehab services and performance measurement.

Frameworks and self-assessment tools

• Rehab Definitions Conceptual Framework (general framework for all populations)
• ABI/Neuro Rehab Definitions Framework
  • ABI/Neuro Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Amputee Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Amputee Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Burns Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Burns Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient & outpatient/ambulatory
• Cardiac Rehab Definitions Framework*

* This framework was developed during a time when research and standards of practice for cardiac rehab were evolving quickly.  For that reason, this document should be considered a work in progress and may be updated in the future to reflect changes in practice.

• Geriatric Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Inpatient Geriatric Rehab Triage Guideline
  • Geriatric Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• MSK Hip Fracture Rehab Definitions Framework
  • MSK Hip Fracture Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• MSK Total Joint Replacement Rehab Definitions Framework
  • MSK Total Joint Replacement Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Oncology Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Oncology Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Pulmonary Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Pulmonary Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Spinal Cord Injury Rehab Self-Assessment Tools: acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community
• Stroke Rehab Definitions Framework
  • Stroke Rehab Self-Assessment Tools (developed in partnership with the Toronto-area Stroke Networks): acute care; inpatient; outpatient/ambulatory & community

Report

• Rehab Definitions Initiative: Final Report (March 2010)
  

  The Definitions Initiative (2006-2010) has translated evidence-based best practices into population-specific rehab frameworks to define the “gold standard” for what should occur as leading practices within rehab programs across the continuum. The final report provides an overview of the initiative, including a discussion of methodology and the data influencing the development of each framework.