After total knee replacement surgery, individuals usually receive intensive physical therapy either at an inpatient rehabilitation facility or at home with a visiting therapist. The telerehabilitation program at Jefferson House continues to connect patients to their therapists even after discharge.

This innovative telerehab therapy at Jefferson House – the first system in place in an acute care continuum in a U.S.-based healthcare system – is conducted in live time via the Internet. Patients are educated in using an iPod, tripod and Fitbit to aid in their rehabilitation and have a home assessment via a special app.

Charles Keeler, 85, was the first Jefferson House patient to continue therapy at home via telerehab with Kathleen Sullivan, MSPT, MHA, Jefferson House director of rehabilitation and co-investigator. He liked the continuum of care and convenience of not having to leave his Bristol home for outpatient therapy, he said.

“This is not a replacement of traditional hands on care; it’s an additional tool,” said Christopher Peterson, PT, DPT, principal investigator and Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network
program director. The program was developed over two years through the collaboration of Jefferson House, Hartford HealthCare Rehabilitation Network, Hartford HealthCare Bone & Joint Institute and Hartford HealthCare at Home.

For more information, call Kathleen Sullivan at 860.667.4453.