PATIENT of rehabilitation a day from physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
THE BEST PLACE
Nurses are continuously available.
By: DR. MICHAEL FUENTES
W
hen recovering from a disabling injury or disease, rehabilitative care is significant to a patient’s healing process, helping provide positive results in regaining or improving productivity and independence. Choosing a rehabilitation facility for yourself or a loved one may be one of the most important and difficult decisions you have to make. When you talk about rehabilitation facilities, you may hear the terms, “skilled nursing,” “nursing homes,” “assisted living centers” and “acute rehabilitation hospitals.” These all may seem like equal choices for rehabilitative care, but they’re not. Each of the aforementioned facilities has rehabilitation professionals on staff, but only one – the rehabilitation hospital – specializes in rehabilitation, offering 24-hour rehabilitative nursing care, along with daily physician management and intensive rehabilitation therapies. A national study shows that patients treated in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals have better long-term
results than those treated in skilled nursing facilities. The study, which was commissioned by the ARA Research Institute, shows that patients treated in rehabilitation hospitals live longer, have fewer hospital and ER visits and remain longer in their homes without additional outpatient services. These patients returned home from their initial stay two weeks earlier and remained home nearly two months longer. In addition, patients who were treated in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals experienced an 8 percent lower mortality rate and 5 percent fewer emergency room visits per year. In addition, last spring, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association released guidelines strongly recommending that stroke patients be treated at inpatient rehabilitation facilities rather than skilled nursing facilities. The guidelines highlight the effective and important aspects of an inpatient rehabilitation facility, including: Patients typically participate in at least three hours
A GOOD STARTING PLACE IS TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
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Doctors typically visit daily. So, how do you select a rehabilitation hospital that’s right for you or a loved one? A good starting place is to discuss your options with your physician or health care provider. He or she is intimately involved with your health care and knows your specific needs. Your physician will know what type of rehabilitation will be required for your injury or illness. Ask for recommendations on rehabilitation hospitals, and then do some research: Start with an online search. Compile information and form questions. Review general information about rehabilitative care, and gather information from the hospital’s website. Take a tour of the hospital. Observe the attitude of the staff, the type of equipment and the cleanliness of the facility. By visiting, you can get a sense of the care provided, compassion for patient dignity and involvement of family members. You may want to ask about: • Health care specialists who will be involved in your care • Nurse-to-patient ratio • Longevity of the staff • Certifications and credentials of the staff • The size of the hospital • What services are provided • Hospital accreditations and recognitions • Patients’ results Note the location of the hospital. While the location should be considered, getting the best care for you or a loved one is most important. If you have to leave your hometown for treatment, check the hospital’s policy for overnight
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How to choose the right rehabilitative care facility for you or a loved one