Pre-hospital and trauma care: Pre-hospital and trauma care for the Rocky Mountain Regional Brain Injury System (RMRBIS) begins with emergency medical services coordinated through its two Level I trauma centers, St. Anthony Central and Swedish Medical Center. Flight for Life and AirLife - operated by St. Anthony Central and Swedish Medical Center, respectively - serve a six-state region utilizing helicopters, fixed-wing aircrafts, and critical care ground ambulances based in six locations throughout Colorado. Both Flight for Life and AirLife, as well as numerous other ground ambulance companies, receive medical support and control from the two acute care facilities' Emergency Departments. This extensive network allows for rapid transport into either one of the two RMRBIS trauma centers, even when injuries occur in rural or mountainous areas. Physicians and surgeons at St. Anthony Central and Swedish Medical Center then collaborate with RMRBIS physiatrists from Craig Hospital to manage patients' care with their long-term outcomes in mind. Augmenting this comprehensive pre-hospital and trauma care system is Kindred Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital that serves both RMRBIS trauma care centers. Craig Hospital physiatrists also collaborate with Kindred Hospital in managing patient care at the long-term acute level. This model ensures the continuity of care that epitomized a "Model System of Care".

Comprehensive rehabilitation: The comprehensive rehabilitation program at Craig Hospital is the foundation upon which all other RMRBIS programming has been built. Craig Hospital has been providing rehabilitation for people with brain injuries since 1956, making it one of the most experienced brain injury rehabilitation programs in the country. Fifty years of experience and acquired expertise has developed a comprehensive system of care, taking patients from the first few weeks of injury to return to home and community. Services provided include Rehabilitation Nursing, PT, OT, Speech, Therapeutic Recreation, Psychological and Vocational services, organized by one of two primary physicians supported by 250 physician consultants, using a team approach and focusing on individual functional goals. Craig Hospital is licensed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and is accredited by JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations). It consists of 93 in-patient rehabilitation beds, 26 of which are dedicated to traumatic brain injury. Annually, Craig Hospital serves approximately 125 individuals with new traumatic brain injuries. Craig Hospital receives referrals from all local hospitals as well as numerous out-of-state hospitals, however, the two RMRBIS acute care centers account for about 40% of its annual referrals.

Post-Acute Services in Rehabilitation: A comprehensive Outpatient Program addresses the health and functional issues confronting TBI survivors as they leave the hospital. A multidisciplinary team continues working toward the goals established during the inpatient stay, to help consumers master the skills and relationships necessary to be independent and productive in their communities. The program builds skills, confidence, self awareness and compensation strategies. The outpatient program focuses on home and community re-integration, including a functional evaluation followed by goal-directed training. This program provides a "real life" assessment of independence in the community, capabilities and functional limitations prior to an individual's attempt to return to pre-injury activities or employment. Craig Hospital provides long-term support for persons in the post acute phase of TBI. Past experience at Craig Hospital - substantiated by other programs, researchers and consumers - has taught us that many people with brain injury continue to have ongoing or episodic needs. The need for education, services and support exists independently of discharge dates, and so Follow-up Services continues for patients and families after outpatient rehabilitation ends.

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