What to Expect

A board certified physician, with a specialty appropriate to patient needs, directs the team. The physician meets with the patient and family to discuss individual needs and will call on other hospital physicians to address any other issues. The hospital’s medical staff specializes in rehabilitation and includes neurologists, cardiologists, rheumatologists, and physiatrists.

The Clinical Program Director oversees and coordinates all therapy programs. The Program Director ensures that all persons served meet the criteria for admission to the program, receive an appropriate, individualized, interdisciplinary treatment program, and ensure achievement of the predicted outcomes.

Patients receive nursing care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many nurses are certified in rehabilitation nursing. The nurse manager oversees all of the nursing staff on the team. She or he is joined by a primary nurse, who will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of daily care, a nurse practitioner, and a health care assistant (HCA) or Certified Nurses Aide (CNA). The nursing staff will assist with medications, bathing, dressing, and will reinforce skills learned in therapy and educate a patient about their diagnosis and related conditions.

A licensed and registered physical therapist works as part of the team to help restore mobility and function that may have been lost due to injury, illness, or disability. Therapy will occur in individual treatment sessions. If appropriate, a group session may also be included. Therapists may incorporate family/caregiver(s) into training sessions to assure a safe discharge home. Prior to leaving, he/she will assess adaptive equipment needs  (wheelchair, walker, cane, etc.) and assist with acquisition of suggested equipment.

A licensed and registered occupational therapist works to achieve the greatest level of independence in self-care and daily activities. Therapy programs consist of selected activities and exercises that are intended to improve ability to function safely at home and in the community. Occupational Therapy will occur in individual treatment sessions and as appropriate, a group session may also be included.

In addition to working on basic skills such as bathing and dressing, patients have the opportunity to practice cooking and home management skills. The OT will also obtain splints and adaptive equipment as needed.

Licensed and registered speech therapists hold American Speech and Hearing Association Clinical Certificates of Competence. The therapist works as part of your team to help restore swallowing, speech, and language function that may have been lost due to injury, illness, or disability. Therapy will occur in individual treatment sessions. If appropriate, a speech group session may also be included. The therapist may incorporate family/caregiver(s) into treatment sessions to assist with treatment goals and to assure safe discharge.

Recreational Therapists provide both treatment and diversional recreation services. Treatment is planned to help improve function and independence as well as reduce the effects of injury or illness. The recreation therapist works with patient and family to include specific leisure interests and community recreation resources into therapy to achieve outcomes that transfer to real life situations. Diversional services offered include pet therapy, performing arts program, group leisure activities, and special events. A monthly calendar of events is posted.

All patients are assigned a case manager who will meet with them shortly after admission. The case manager can answer questions related to insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage and will advise the patient/family of the treatment team’s recommendations for care after discharge. He/she will discuss the available options and make referrals to appropriate agencies or facilities.

Each respiratory therapist is licensed and may hold national credentials. If the doctor has ordered respiratory treatments, suctioning, and/or oxygen, a respiratory therapist will administer treatments.

A licensed pharmacist will provide the medications ordered by the doctor.

A registered dietician will plan a diet and meals based on the patient’s needs and desires. They may visit with the patient to assess preferences and discuss options or supplements.

A rehabilitation psychologist may see a patient to assist with the changes affecting daily life as a result of injury or illness. They can help patient and family members to address issues of depression, anger, pain, sexuality, sleep difficulty, and much more.

A patient may be referred to a neuropsychologist if there are difficulties with memory, attention, and/or problem solving skills.

A licensed counselor will be available to assist if a referral is needed to the State Vocational Rehabilitation Program for follow up services after hospital discharge.