The AHN rehab units have contracts with most insurance companies; this will be explored before a patient is transferred.
Every patient is different, and everyone progresses at a different rate. A plan is developed for each patient with an estimated length of stay. Each patient’s progress is discussed in the team’s weekly conferences.
Acute inpatient rehabilitation offers a more intensive rehab program. Our program provides daily physician involvement, 24 hour nursing care, and 3 hours of therapy a day, at least 5 days a week.
As patients get closer to discharge, we encourage families to participate in therapy sessions. We provide patient and family education for a safe discharge home.
Our case managers and social workers work with each patient and family to arrange any needed care after discharge from our acute rehabilitation units. Our goal is to return patients to their communities. Your team will work with you to coordinate the best outcome.
All patients need to bring the following items to acute inpatient rehabilitation:
Family and friends are welcome to visit, preferably after 4 p.m. Patients are busy all day in therapy, so if families do visit during the day, we ask that they do not interrupt therapy. Each unit has its own community room or open lounge areas for patients to visit with family and friends.
Your rehabilitation team will be led by your rehabilitation doctor (a specialist called a physiatrist) and includes certified rehabilitation registered nurses (CRRNs), who are specially trained in acute inpatient rehabilitation. Your team may also include physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language therapists, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, case managers, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Additional staff includes Rehab Support Associates who will help assist you with your daily needs.
Your physical therapist will test how well you get around, including your muscle strength, muscle control and balance, and whether pain interferes with your ability to move. Your therapist will also ask about your home environment. The therapist will then work with you to make a plan for your recovery. The plan may include activities to help you walk, manage steps and get in and out of your bed or chair. If you need it, you will also receive training on using orthotic/prosthetic devices and assistive devices such as walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and braces.
Occupational therapy focuses on your skills for activities of daily living (“ADLs”) such as bathing, dressing, eating, and preparing meals. On admission, your occupational therapist will test your current skills and ask about your home environment. The therapist will make a plan to teach you any skills, provide any treatments, and use any equipment that might be recommended to help you care for yourself at home. You can practice these skills using any assistive devices recommended for you in our unit’s simulated living areas.
Speech therapy is designed to improve patients’ communication, thinking skills, problem solving, and memory. A speech language pathologist will work with you to improve your ability to speak and to understand speech, as well as improve your reading and writing abilities. Our speech language pathologists will also work with you to improve your swallowing function if necessary. A treatment program may be designed, which typically includes a diet that is safest for swallowing.
Certified rehabilitation registered nurses (CRRNs) provide care on each acute rehabilitation unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They manage patients’ pain and educate patients and families in medication use, skin care, and managing bowel and bladder function. They also manage care for any other conditions the patient might have such as diabetes. Nurses on our rehab units help you do a little more for yourself each day.
A social worker or case manager helps manage your care. This professional’s role is to:
Your patient care team will meet weekly so the physiatrist, therapists, nursing staff, nutritionists, and case manager can update each other about your progress and update your plan for discharge home. We urge you to tell your Case manager or social worker about any concerns or questions you would like the care team to address at these meetings. Your course of treatment will be designed to meet your abilities and medical needs. Although the plan of care is different for each patient, the daily schedule follows the same basic routine. Here is what a typical therapy day looks like:
Since there's a lot of work to do, the day starts early. Your nurse will visit you and give you any needed treatments. Nursing and/or therapy staff will help you to the toilet and help you wash and dress for the day. Breakfast is planned each day by your nutritionist and your doctor, keeping in mind what you enjoy eating and your current medical needs. You can expect to have several therapy sessions before lunch.
Lunch is planned each day by your nutritionist and your doctor.
Your scheduled therapy sessions will be completed in the afternoon.
Dinner is planned daily by your nutritionist and physician. In the evening, you will be free to visit with your family and friends, to relax, and to read or watch TV. Nursing staff will help you with grooming, preparing for, and getting comfortable in bed.
Nursing staff will check on you throughout the night and provide any treatments you may need. We don’t want to interrupt your sleep, so they won't wake you unless it's necessary.
