Program Goal
To help patients achieve the highest level of independence possible.
And how are we meeting our goals?
Program Outcomes for 2007
- 211 patients were discharged from our inpatient rehabilitation program in 2007
- 89% of them were able to be discharged to the community instead of other settings. Compare that to the regional and national average of only 75%!
- Our average length of stay was 15 compared to the national average of 15 days
Information provided per Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation
Diagnoses Served
Admission to the Rehabilitation Hospital is not dependent on any specific diagnosis. Each patient's medical information, needs, ability to perform daily activities and potential to improve are considered.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established 13 categories for rehabilitation diagnoses. In order to maintain a rehabilitation specialty hospital classification, 60% of the patients admitted must have a primary diagnosis that fits in one of 13 categories:
- Amputation
- Brain injury
- Burns
- Congenital deformities
- Femur (Hip) fracture
- Hip and knee replacements (meeting specific criteria)
- Major multiple trauma
- Neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson´s Disease
- Osteoarthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease of weight bearing joints
- Polyarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Systemic Vasculidities with joint inflammation, including arteritis and polymyalgia
The other 40% may have various medical conditions, including cardiac problems and pulmonary disease, but need intensive rehabilitation.
Therapy Team
You, your family, and others you choose to help you, are the most important members of the rehabilitation team. Highly skilled professionals will work with you to help you get better, be able to do more for yourself, and understand your choices for treatment and discharge. Depending on your specific needs, your team may include:
PHYSICIAN
The doctor will oversee your care and help plan rehabilitation through regular visits with you and other team members. A nurse practitioner will assist the doctor in caring for your medical needs. Your primary care doctor may or may not see you while you’re here but will be kept informed about your progress.
REHABILITATION NURSES
Your nurses (RN's) have special training in caring for people with disabilities. They will provide direct care, as well as teach you and your family about health and disease/disability, medications, skin care, nutrition, bowel and bladder control, and safety. They will also help you practice things you learn in therapy.
PHYSICAL THERAPIST
Your physical therapist (PT) will help you improve skills with balance, coordination, and strengthening as well as training to improve walking or using a wheelchair, getting in and out of a bed, chair, or car, and moving around without losing your balance. You and your family will be taught exercises to help you move or walk.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Your occupational therapist (OT) will provide activities, exercises and practice sessions to help you do things for yourself such as eating, dressing, grooming, using the bathroom, writing, or cooking. Your OT may teach you how to do things differently or to use helpful gadgets. Your family will be taught what to do to help you in your daily activities.
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST
Your speech therapist will help you with language and communication skills, your ability to understand, to remember things, and to make good judgments. If you have difficulty with swallowing, your therapist may give you specific exercises or ways to practice swallowing safely. Your family will be trained in these same techniques.
THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST
The therapeutic recreation specialist will help you return to activities that you enjoy such as playing cards, doing crafts, exercising, and to develop new interests.
CASE MANAGER
The case manager serves as the care coordinator and patient advocate who works with you and your family, the therapy team, insurance company, and other agencies to help you get what you need here and after discharge. Referrals for or questions about guardianship, conservatorship, self help groups, and advocacy groups may be directed to the case manager at any time.
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