Mobility Clinic | UnityPoint Health - Des Moines
Maximize Your Mobility and Independence
Patients with certain orthopedic and/or neurological conditions can improve their mobility, independence and safety with the Mobility Clinic at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. The Mobility Clinic provides expertise in areas such as wheelchair seating and positioning, gait/falls and movement disorders. You or your loved ones have access to a multidisciplinary team consisting of PM&R providers and therapists. This allows for ease of coordinated care and efficient use of resources and costs.
Learn more below or contact either your primary care provider or one of our Mobility Clinic locations to see if the Mobility Clinic meets your needs.
What are the Benefits of the Mobility Clinic?
Benefits include:
- Physician-led team of medical experts in rehabilitative medicine
- Coordination and oversight of diagnostic testing
- Easy coordination of the rehabilitation process
- Shared medical records, so you don't have to repeat the same information
- Continuation of care no matter your needs – inpatient, outpatient, or at-home
- Access to other multi-specialties when needed
- Access to preferred vendors
What to Expect
Care Coordinated by our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) Physicians
The Mobility Clinic begins with a PM&R physician visit, as this provider oversees your care from start to finish. They will complete a comprehensive exam of the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Here, the provider might order necessary tests such as x-ray, MRI, EMG, etc.
Then, the provider can determine your appropriate level of care with respect to cost, location and specialties needed. If referrals are needed – most insurance requires physician referral for rehabilitation services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy – your provider will do so at this time.
Your health care journey might continue afterward at our accredited inpatient rehabilitation center, at any one of our convenient outpatient therapy clinics, or with our home health services.
Continuation of Care with an Expert Team of Therapists
Depending on your particular treatment plan, a therapist specializing in physical therapy, occupational therapy and/or speech therapy may meet with you and further evaluate your needs, partnering afterward with our PM&R provider to develop a specific treatment program designed just for you.
Follow up visits will work toward common goals to maximize function and independence. These visits may look different and are tailored to you based on specific needs and your environment (home, communities, recreational activities, etc.)
And even when you aren't in the clinic, our therapists are here for both you and your family members. They'll provide home exercises, education and training so safe care and rehabilitation can continue at home.
Easy Collaboration with Preferred Vendors
Your therapist(s) will evaluate for and and recommend any assistive device and/or bracing needed to maximize mobility and improve safety. Therapy staff, providers and a nurse case manager will work with vendors to identify needs and equipment options, coordinating any insurance requirements.
Depending on your needs, you'll get access to the following specialty clinic areas:
Wheelchair Seating and Positioning Clinic
Match needs with equipment options, technology and environmental needs
Nurse case manager coordinates visit with equipment vendor and therapy staff
Equipment trial where you have the option to test the recommended equipment, with most advanced options including ultra-light manual wheelchairs, power-assist for manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs with anterior and posterior tilt, power seat elevation, seat recline, elevating leg rests, etc.
Decreased time from chair order to delivery—averaging 6 weeks
Pressure mapping technology measures body surface pressures to ensure proper seating and positioning, maximizing comfort
Evaluations are held at our Methodist clinic, located on the 3rd Floor Younker Building in Iowa Methodist Hospital
Also available for existing equipment evaluations – contact Outpatient Therapy to get started
Gait/Falls Clinic
Evaluation of gait to maximize gait independence, safety and mobility
Identification of musculoskeletal and/or neurological conditions impacting gait
Reduce falls to limit secondary admissions and/or injuries
Recommendation of assistive devices such as a walker, cane, crutch, or braces
Driving Clinic
In-clinic evaluation of vision, cognition, reaction times and problem-solving as it relates to driving a motor vehicle
Evaluation using an in-clinic car simulator
On-the-road evaluation of driving performance through park, residential, commercial, and interstate driving skills
Objective-based recommendations for driving privileges
Recommendations for adaptive equipment and related driving training
Coordination with primary care provider and DOT programming
Technology Clinic
Physician-led evaluation of needs to ensure most recent technology is available and appropriate to supplement your treatment plan
Medical clearance and oversight of technology use
Movement Disorders Clinic
Physician-led evaluation and management of movement disorders
Physician management of medication related to movement disorder
Ongoing Support
Your care team will continue to partner with you to make sure your treatment plan is meeting your needs, making adjustments as needed throughout your stages of recovery.