If you are in need of the services at an inpatient rehabilitation facility, quality care and effective treatment are both essential to getting the best recovery and rehabilitation results. So what do you need to know to make sure that happens? Our quick guide to comparing inpatient rehab facilities can help you make a solid decision as you choose where you will get the rehabilitative care you need to get back on your feet and back to your life.
Make a List
To begin the process of choosing the right facility for your needs, you'll need to make a list of inpatient rehab facilities in your area. Your healthcare team is a good resource for locating likely prospects, so be sure to ask your healthcare providers for recommendations. If you are in the hospital, your discharge planners or hospital social workers should be able to provide information on local inpatient rehab centers. Medicare's Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Compare website can also be an excellent resource for locating facilities in your area.
Check Into Quality
Once you have a list to work from, it's time to look into the quality of care provided by each of the inpatient rehab facilities on your list. Medicare's IRF Compare website can be very helpful in this area as well, since it offers quality ratings for each facility in its listings. Your healthcare team is another resource for checking on the quality standards and reputation of facilities you're considering, and your local senior center may also be able to help. Doing a bit of research to see if any complaints have been made about these facilities to your local Better Business Bureau or Health Department can be helpful, as well as looking for customer reviews online.
Conduct Phone Interviews
For the inpatient rehab facilities left on your list after the quality check, the next step is to give them a call. Important factors you should look into include:
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Do they have experience with your particular condition?
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Will you be evaluated and treated by a multidisciplinary team of rehab professionals?
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How much therapy time will you get daily?
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Will treatment plans be personalized to your needs, preferences, and condition?
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Is patient/family participation encouraged?
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Will you be provided on site access to physicians and/or specialists?
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What supplemental services and amenities are offered, and which are included in the facility's basic rates?
Visit Inpatient Rehab Centers That Made The Cut
Once you have narrowed your list down to the inpatient rehab centers that suit your needs and preferences, visiting them to get a personal feel for their quality and atmosphere is the next step in choosing the right facility for you. This is an important step, so if you are not able to make these visits yourself due to health concerns, ask a friend or family member to be your eyes and ears. Look for cleanliness, comfort, patient privacy and a professional, courteous and helpful staff. Talk to patients and their visitors, if possible, to get the inside story on the quality of care and treatment provided in each facility.
Once you have completed the steps outlined above, you can be confident that the facility you choose will offer the quality care and rehabilitative treatment you need. That means you'll be ready to get checked in and focused on making your recovery.
