Team BRAINS at Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands Medical Center
May 2024
Team BRAINS
at Memorial Hermann - The Woodlands Medical Center
Neuroscience Center
Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center
The Woodlands
,
TX
United States
Team Lead: Christine Coates, MSN, RN, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Team Members: Alison Kirk, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, Lakeisha Malone, BSN, RN, CNRN, Jennifer Cox, MSN, RN, CMSRN, OCN, Mary Russell, DO, MS, Deidra Doherty, PT, MSPT, Lynette Harlow, RN, Yolanda Bryant, BSN, RN, ACM, Linda Kuitert, BSN, RN, CCM, Kimberly Lindberg, MS, CCC-SLP, Christa McBain, PT, DPT, Susan O’Connell, MPA, BSN, RN, CCM, Corina Pace, PT, MPT, Emily Potter, OTR, MOT, Gwendolyn Sterchak, BSN, RN, Victoria Corrigan, OTR, MOT

 

 

 

BRAINS stands for: Bridging Resources After Inpatient Neurological Stays 

The purpose of this project was to develop multidisciplinary difficult discharge rounds for patients who are under-funded or non-funded and have one or more social determinants of health. 

A team of nurses, nursing leadership, NPs, PT/OT, Speech therapy, TIRR leadership, and case management meet weekly to think outside of the box and answer challenging questions to meet the discharge and recovery needs of these complex patients. With caring hearts and critical thinking, the BRAINS team brings their all every week, serving a population that is grossly underrepresented and at a higher risk of death and disability from stroke and new neurological illness. 

BRAINS plans for safe discharges so that the patients and families involved have what they need to care for the patient with a new neuro diagnosis at home.  We show compassion by going the extra mile and give these patients extra support and really work to medically optimize them early.

We serve patients with multiple social determinants of health, evening the field of healing and maximizing recovery. We bravely innovate by crafting discharge plans consistent with the world-class inpatient neurological care we provide at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. We focus on a diverse patient population that is at a high risk of death and disability.

Team BRAINS grew from a small group of dedicated professionals committed to changing the landscape of care for underserved patients in The Woodlands. As word traveled, passionate individuals joined our team, creating a dynamic and diverse group well-equipped to solve problems and provide innovative solutions.

We have reduced our Excess Neuro Days in Vizient from 0.83 to 0.25.  We also have a readmission rate for BRAINS patients of 5% compared to the national average of 12%.