Inpatient Rehabilitation for Patients with Unique Needs
Right now, you may be a patient in an intensive care unit or medical floor of a hospital. Your medical team may have suggested that you would benefit from rehabilitation services. The comprehensive rehabilitation program at Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital offers a variety of services, and we want you to know what you can expect from your rehabilitation program and stay.
Rehabilitation Goals
- Restore your ability to carry out normal daily activities
- Return you to your home or a home-like setting
- Teach you and your family/support system how to adapt to any continued challenges you may face
- Put you and your family on the road back to hope and a full life
Along with our team, we will work together to help you achieve the greatest level of independence
possible. We offer a personalized and comprehensive approach to your rehabilitation needs, starting
with our state-of-the-art facility and patient-centered equipment.
Hospital Admission Criteria
Prior to admission, each prospective patient will meet with one of our liaisons. Based on the information received a pre-admission assessment will be completed, and if needed, sent to your insurance company to request authorization for admission.
Each patient is different, and the Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital takes those differences into account when considering admission. In general, we assess the following admission criteria for patients:
- Medically stable
- Require close supervision by a rehabilitation physician
- Require 24-hour specialized rehabilitation nursing
- Capable of actively participating in a minimum of three hours of therapy per day, at least five days a week
- Require an interdisciplinary team approach
Once your insurance has approved your admission, our liaison will work with the referring hospital and case manager to arrange transportation and obtain your medical records for continuity of care.
What to Bring
Rehabilitation patients spend several hours each day out of their rooms following a personalized schedule of therapy, so normal clothing is typically worn. Make sure clothes are labeled with the patient鈥檚 name.
Patients should also bring the following items:
- Pullover or button-up shirts or blouses that fit easily over the head
- Comfortable pants or sweats
- Athletic shoes with good support
- Comfortable undergarments
- Pajamas or gowns and robes
- Slippers
- Commonly used toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, deodorant, etc.)
- Corrective devices such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures
- Custom devices like splints or braces
- Cell phone chargers
- Pictures of family and friends
- Any other familiar items that can make your room feel like home
A Typical Day in Inpatient Rehabilitation
From Monday through Friday, you will attend a minimum of three hours of therapy. Your personalized daily schedule typically begins at 7:30 am and ends at 4:15 pm. Saturday therapies last for half the day and are typically done by 2:30 pm. On Sunday, limited therapies allow for rest and relaxation.
As you begin community reintegration activities, your day might stretch longer. Family members and significant others are encouraged to get involved in your therapy sessions, educational classes, and community outings to support achievement of functional goals.
Smart Room Technology
Every patient room at the Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital will be equipped with 鈥渟mart鈥 features that allow you to adjust the sound, light, temperature, media, and door through touch, voice, or breath. This is the first rehabilitation facility to fully implement these control systems that put you in charge.
Your Rehabilitation Team
Rehabilitating patients with complex impairments is only possible with a team. This interdisciplinary approach is determined by the patient鈥檚 assessment, medical needs, predicted outcomes, and rehabilitation needs. Patients and family members work with our team to establish and support the patient in achieving specific therapy goals.
Your rehabilitation team includes the following care providers:
- A board-certified physical and rehabilitation physician
- A dedicated team of specialists with specific training and certifications
- Rehab nurses
- Licensed physical, occupational, and speech therapists
- Rehab psychologists
- Neuropsychologists
- Rehab educators
- Care coordinators
How Long Will You Be in Rehab?
Your length of stay is based on your individual criteria, taking into account specific criteria like diagnosis, severity of injury or illness, and functional goals. Your progress and discharge planning will be discussed weekly at a team conference.
The decision about your discharge date will be based on when you鈥檙e able to move to the next appropriate level of care. Although the goal of rehab is to return home or to a home-like setting, other levels of care include acute medical care, outpatient services, home health series, assisted living, or skilled nursing facilities.
Some things that determine a safe discharge location include: personal support system, services available in your home area, compliance with and participation in your therapy program your ability to progress with your rehabilitation goals, and funding source limitations.
Below are some examples of when discharge from rehab may be considered.
- If you have met inpatient rehab goals, you may be ready for outpatient or home health therapy.
- If you are unable to meet your inpatient rehab goals and are no longer making progress, you may need to receive services in a less intense setting at a skilled nursing facility or at home through home health.
- If you no longer require 24-hour nursing care, you may need to receive services through home health or outpatient programs.
- If you develop a serious medical or surgical complication, you may need to transfer to a medical floor in the hospital.
