Innovations Grant Funds New Ideas

ACUTE REHABILITATION Swallowing Again: Improving Dysphagia Outcomes of Stroke Specialty Program Princeton Health will purchase state-of-the-art equipment to enhance dysphagia therapy for patients with swallowing issues due to traumatic injuries or disease. These new evidence-based treatments and therapies will aid in muscle strengthening to rehabilitate swallowing and provide advances in dysphagia intervention. Regaining muscle strength is critical in reducing the risk of life-threatening health issues associated with dysphagia, such as choking and aspiration pneumonia

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Real-Time Wellness Checks for First Responders Program This initiative will pilot a new text-based, real-time communication tool for patients who have completed Princeton House’s First Responder Treatment Services program. This platform encourages efficient and personalized daily contact and feedback, alerting staff if urgent outreach, intervention, or other support services are needed. The goal is to increase patient compliance and promote commitment to ongoing mental health and wellness after discharge by providing the opportunity to share feedback in real-time.

Innovations Grants are an important part of Princeton Health’s culture of fostering new ideas and collaboration. Highlighted below is an example of a past grantee and the progress they are making through the support of community philanthropy.

In 2022, Princeton Medical Center’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit was awarded an Innovations Grant to purchase virtual reality (VR) equipment to engage patients in both physical and cognitive challenges after a stroke. In addition to traditional rehabilitation therapies, the VR systems assist with motor recovery by creating a multisensory simulated environment with interactive games designed to provide the patient with real-life scenarios and activities relevant to daily living.

With the help of VR technology, an individual can practice task repetition, even in the presence of motor deficits. This includes simulated actions such as preparing meals, personal grooming, putting away groceries, or picking an object up off the floor.

Data shows that VR therapy enhances functional and cognitive status compared to traditional therapy alone, thus improving patient outcomes.

The goal is to safely discharge the patient at a level where they can participate in activities of daily living without assistance from others. This system uses the latest advances in neurorehabilitation and evidence-based practice for post-stroke therapy, allowing us to stand apart from other facilities.

If you are interested in directly supporting this grants program, or to learn more, please email PMPH-innovations@pennmedicine.upenn.edu or call 609.252.8710.

Article as seen in Princeton Giving Fall 2024.