Participant Selection
Selection of SPRINT participants requires multidisciplinary effort.
Patients on the Hem-Onc and BMT units receive OT, PT, and/or ST at
various frequencies during the hospitalization and are identified as
SPRINT candidates by their therapists and/or a consulting rehabilitation
physician. Inclusion criteria for SPRINT include that a patient 1) has
experienced a significant functional decline during the hospitalization,
2) requires two or more therapies (PT, OT, or ST) to meet functional
goals, 3) is willing and able to participate in >30 minutes
per therapy type per day, 4) would otherwise be considered for inpatient
rehabilitation services but are unable due to ongoing acute medical
needs and/or cancer treatments, and 5) has a parent or guardian
agreeable to the child’s participation in the program to support the
child in recommended activities and exercises outside of therapy
sessions. In addition to assessing participants’ medical stability,
Hem-Onc and BMT physicians help determine the timing of SPRINT for
patients in order to minimize factors that may negatively impact SPRINT
participation and completion, such as major procedures or surgeries. Of
note, participation in SPRINT does not preclude a patient from receiving
inpatient rehabilitation services later in the hospitalization once
medically stable, if the patient continues to demonstrate the need for
intensive therapies to address his or her functional impairments.