Supporting expertise Kempenhaeghe
All the Kempenhaeghe centers focus on optimal, maximal care for patients with complex disorders. That is why we work with multidisciplinary teams in which doctors are supported by behavioral scientists, nursing specialists, social workers and paramedics. We have special, extra facilities where experts deploy their specialized know-how, often behind the screens.
You might think of specific EEG, MRI and polysomnography-examinations or a specialized pharmacy and laboratory. The cooperation between the various professionals results in possibilities for a new perspective on the patient, his disorder and the care we offer.
In short, whomever refers patients to Kempenhaeghe knows that they are ensured of the best possible care, thanks to the availability of highly qualified specialists, supported by high-quality staff departments.
(Neuro)psychological perspective
Behavioral scientists are active in all of the Kempenhaeghe centers. From their expertise they contribute to the diagnostics, treatment and support of patients and students.
In the Center for Residential Epilepsy Care remedial educationalists and/or health care psychologists deploy their expertise for optimal residential support. In the Academic Center for Epileptology, the Center for Sleep Medicine en the Center for Neurological Learning and Development Disabilities the disciplines specialist clinical (neuro)psychology, health care psychology and psychotherapy are available. Behavioral scientists at De Berkenschutse offer psycho-education and help students who have gotten stuck in learning, work attitude and/or social-emotional functioning.
As a member of the multidisciplinary team behavioral scientists see children and adults with and without physical or intellectual disabilities. They are responsible for (neuro)psychological diagnostics and treatment. Their findings are reported to the treating specialist.
Social support
Having a complex disorder can have its consequences for relations, social contacts, work and income, and residing. Patients and their loved ones can come to our social workers with questions, problems and concerns regarding the social consequences of their disorder.
The social worker and the patient jointly define the question and make an action plan. Goal is to increase the self-sufficiency of the patient and his family. Feedback of the progression is given to the treating specialist.
Sometimes further referral is required; to our behavioral scientists or to ambulatory support outside Kempenhaeghe. The latter happens when the problems are unrelated to the disorder but affect the quality of life.
Paramedical services
The Paramedical service offers specialized care by way of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, dietetics and movement therapy. The paramedics are – if so required – part of the patient’s multidisciplinary medical team.
They also offer special types of therapy, such as neuro re validation or sensory information processing. Achieving the highest possible quality of life for the patient is always key.
Practical Pedagogical Home Support
The pedagogical burden of parents of a child with a serious and hard to treat disorder can be bigger than their bearing strength.
Educationalists of our Practical Pedagogical Home Support (PPT) help parents with questions concerning child-raising that are related to or the result of the child’s epilepsy, a neurological disorder and/or the sleeping disorder.
Clinical Neurophysiology and Imaging
In the Clinical Neurophysiology and MRI department, EEG, polysomnography and MRI examinations are done. These contribute to a great extent to the diagnosis and the eventual treatment of the patient. In these examinations, Kempenhaeghe takes the extra step beyond standard.
Measurements last longer and are bigger in terms of the number of sensors used, while their sensitivity is also bigger. This, in combination with video monitoring, nursing observation, and the extra expertise of the lab technicians who report the measurements, yields more valuable information from the examinations. Moreover, our staff is specialized in supporting specific groups, such as young children and people with an intellectual disability. For them, extra facilities are available.
Clinical-chemical laboratory
Kempenhaeghe has its own laboratory with a blood drawing room where clinical-pharmaceutical, clinical-chemical and hematological examinations take place.
In addition, the laboratory makes major contributions to scientific medicine studies.
Pharmacy
The strength of the Kempenhaeghe pharmacy is in the specialized know-how of (combinations of) medication, their interactions and side effects.
The pharmacy supplies all medication for admitted patients and clients of the Center for Residential Epilepsy Care. Patient visiting the outpatient clinic can turn to the pharmacy with their questions regarding medication.
The pharmacy also offers information to Kempenhaeghe staff concerning the correct use and correct application of the medication and medication while travelling.
In addition, the pharmacy also makes major contributions to scientific medicine research.