CORFs (comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities): an emerging healthcare system for brain-injured patients.

Abstract

This paper follows the development of Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs) as they emerged from the Day Hospital concept to a new healthcare delivery system. The structure, requirements for stature, reimbursement considerations and potential problems associated with CORFs are discussed. Issues relating to the care of patients with brain injuries are presented and an innovative model of an institute that individualizes a program of techniques to arouse comatose patients and trains and supports families during the process of arousal from coma, are described. The paper goes on to explore the problems and potentials for CORFs to serve as a cost effective, efficient health service delivery system for brain-injured patients with long-term rehabilitative needs.