Neuroscience

Stroke
Wilson Medical Center is a New York state-designated Stroke Center, and is committed to delivering unsurpassed stroke care. This devotion is evident in our development of an acute stroke-management system. Here, patients who are having a stroke or are suspected of having a stroke are immediately given an emergency evaluation by our brain attack team. This team includes board certified neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists who perform immediate studies of the situation such as diffuse and profuse MRI scan and acute thermolytic therapy. If surgery is required, our vascular surgeons will surgically correct the problem that caused the stroke. Stroke patients recover in our Neurosciences Step-Down Unit and are often discharged to the Sandiford Rehabilitation Center.
 

Brain Trauma / Spine Trauma
Wilson Medical Center is a Level 2 Trauma Center with a neuro-trauma team that is available around the clock. This team includes neurosurgeons, a highly trained intensive care unit, our Neuroscience Step-Down unit, our neurosurgical unit and the Sandiford Rehabilitation Center. Spine trauma patients are evaluated and treated according to national protocols including monitoring semato, SSEPS and intraoperative procedures. Our neuro-spine surgeon has access to every type of spine instrumentation approved by the FDA. Following discharge, the Sandiford Rehabilitation Center can help brain and spine trauma patients through the rehabilitation process. Long-term care may also include a Baclofen pump implant or Botox therapy to treat spasticity.

Epilepsy

Parkinson’s Disease

Brain Tumors

• Positronic EMI
• CT/PET (combined computerized tomography and positron emission tomography)
• Operating microscope
• Intraoperative chemotherapy
• Post-operative radiation therapy
• Post-operative chemotherapy

Neurovascular

• Microsurgery for treatment of aneurysms
• Interventional neuroradiology for embolization AVMs and tumors

Spine Trauma and Degenerative Spine Conditions
Our Neurosciences Department offers all FDA-approved treatments for spine trauma and degenerative spine conditions.

Neurodegenerative Diseases
Our Neurosciences Department offers all FDA-approved treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, including all types of shunting for hydrocephalus.

Facial Pain / Trigeminal Neurologia

• Medications
• Surgical treatments such as microvascular decompression and radiofrequency lesion.

Spinal Pain
Our Neurosciences Department offers non-surgical treatments including physical therapy, epidural blocks, facet blocks, sympathectomy and spinal cord stimulation. Surgical procedures offered to treat spinal pain include Baclofen pump implantation and Botox therapy to treat spasticity.

The Neuroscience Step-Down unit contains six beds and 16 staff members. This caregiver-to-patient ratio is in the mid-range, allowing for attentive and intimate care for both patients and families. The staff prides itself on its close patient monitoring, ability to provide intensive therapy and commitment to bringing families into the care experience. All these factors make the unit an area of neuroscience excellence.

The unit has many functions: it is a transitional midpoint from surgery to discharge; a secondary treatment center after a patient is released from the Intensive Care Unit; and the primary care facility for general or orthopedic trauma patients, stroke patients and those recovering from back surgery.

As a transitional center, the unit cares for patients who will seek rehabilitation (often provided at the Sandiford Rehabilitation Center, patients on their way to brain injury rehabilitation and those who have moderate trauma injuries.

Patients experiencing a functional disability due to neurologic, surgical or medical diseases or injuries have convenient access to a highly integrated system of inpatient rehabilitative services through our Sandiford Rehabilitation Center at UHS Binghamton General Hospital. Here, we deliver a contemporary, interdisciplinary inpatient program using a holistic care model where our professional staff works with each patient (and members of the patient’s family) to meet functional goals and maximize independence.

During a typical stay at the Sandiford Rehabilitation Center, a patient is evaluated and treated by a team composed of a physician who specializes in physical rehabilitation; an admissions coordinator; a registered nurse with rehabilitation expertise; and a variety of therapists, clinical social workers and case managers. Our individualized patient care approach is designed to help patients avoid medical complications, maximize functional abilities and make a smooth transition home.

Typical Patient Conditions

• Stroke
• Neurological condition
• Brain injury or dysfunction
• Spinal cord dysfunction
• Arthritis
• Orthopedic condition
• Cardiac condition
• Amputation of limb
• Pain syndromes
• Developmental disabilities
• Burns
• Total joint replacement
• Pulmonary condition
• Congenital deformities
• Major multiple trauma
• Debility
• Other disabling impairments

While the majority of our patients are adults or seniors, we also deliver care to school-age children (6 is the youngest age accepted) through adolescents.

Length of stay at the center is based on the patient’s rehabilitation diagnosis and treatment plan. An average length of stay ranges from five days for orthopedic patients to two or three weeks for patients suffering from neurological conditions or brain injury.

The Sandiford Rehabilitation Center is Medicare certified and also works with many commercial insurance plans. For more information, to speak with an admissions coordinator, or to tour the unit, please call 607-762-2652 or 607-762-2158