So your healthcare providers have recommended an inpatient rehab program to help you get back on your feet after a serious medical problem. Perhaps you’re unsure as to whether or not a stay in an inpatient rehab is really necessary. What do these facilities have to offer in terms of improving your recovery or your quality of life? Here we’ll outline 4 critical services provided by inpatient rehab centers to help you understand why your healthcare provider feels that it may be important for your recovery.
Evaluation and treatment by a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitative specialists
Inpatient rehab programs are much more than just a little physical therapy in a hospital type setting. They offer a comprehensive, holistic approach to healing, recovery and rehabilitation.
Each patient is thoroughly evaluated by a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitative professionals to identify their individual care needs and rehabilitative goals. These teams are led by rehabilitation physicians, and include an array of specialists, including rehabilitation nursing staff, medical specialists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, nutritionists, care coordinators, social workers and others, according to the needs and preferences of each patient.
Information gathered from these evaluations is used to create highly personalized and comprehensive treatment plans for each patient, designed to aid and support them in making their best possible recovery in the shortest possible time.
Intensive rehabilitative therapy
In furthering that primary goal of promoting the best possible recovery in the shortest possible time, inpatient rehab centers provide intensive rehabilitative therapy. Patients receive a minimum of three hours of active therapy every day, and therapy sessions are provided at least 5 days per week during their stay. Progress towards rehabilitation goals is evaluated regularly by the treatment team throughout their stay, typically once or twice weekly, to ensure that treatment plans and methods can be continually adjusted to maximize that progress. Additionally, patients have access to rehabilitative equipment and facilities to work towards their rehabilitation goals between their therapy sessions.
Specialized rehab programs and care services for specific conditions
Many inpatient rehab centers offer a selection of specialty rehab programs and services geared towards specific medical issues and conditions. These often include cardiac rehab, pulmonary rehab, stroke rehab and orthopedic rehab. Other common specialties include diabetes programs, Alzheimer’s care, post-surgical rehab and arthritis care, among others. These programs generally employ specialists in these areas to better manage these conditions to help ensure optimal patient outcomes.
Around-the-clock care, assistance and support
Inpatient rehab centers provide patients with 24-hour care, including nursing care, medication management, pain management, and wound care and personal care, among many other services. This works to create a safer, more convenient and less stressful recovery environment for patients who would otherwise be managing these detail on their own or with the help of family and friends. Around the clock care by medical and rehabilitative professionals can also greatly reduce risk of complications, injuries and further medical problems during the recovery and rehabilitation period.
