Understanding Inpatient Rehabilitation
Inpatient rehabilitation refers to rehabilitation services offered in a hospital setting, with a multidisciplinary team approach including close medical supervision with daily physician visits, 24-hour rehabilitation nursing and three hours of therapy day. People who have suffered strokes, brain injury or amputations and other catastrophic illnesses and injuries often participate in inpatient rehabilitation programs to receive complex medical care while also learning life skills.
WellStar's Inpatient Rehabilitation Units at WellStar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals, deliver the highest standard of customized rehabilitative care to patients after a serious illness or injury has altered their lifestyle. WellStar takes a patient and family-centered approach to rehabilitation, blending advanced therapeutic techniques, state-of-the-art equipment and family support to maximize the rehabilitation outcome.
Our skilled inpatient rehabilitation staff’s ongoing commitment to results has earned WellStar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals the distinction of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 1994.
Working together with patients and their families, we help people achieve their greatest level of independence and facilitate a smooth transition to home and community.
Prior to Admission
Patients commonly admitted to the WellStar Rehabilitation Units at WellStar Cobb and Kennestone hospitals include people who have suffered:
- Stroke
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Orthopedic injury
- Amputation
- Neurological or medically complex conditions
Prior to admission, board certified physiatrists (physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation) will assess your condition to ensure our rehabilitation specialists can help you achieve your goals. In order to be admitted, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have medical necessity for hospitalization
- Require two or more disciplines of therapies (physical, occupational and/or speech)
- Be able to tolerate a minimum of three hours of therapy each day
- Have a discharge plan to return to the community
Once you are admitted to inpatient rehabilitation, your multidisciplinary team develops a treatment plan with the help and support of you and your family based on your specific needs.
The Inpatient Rehabilitation team consists of:
- Physiatrists
- Neuropsychologists
- Rehabilitation nurses
- Pharmacists
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Respiratory therapists
- Speech-language pathologists
- Therapeutic recreation specialists
- Social workers
- Case managers
- Nutritionists
- Wound Ostomy Care nurses
During Your Stay
While you are on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit you will be expected to be up and dressed each day. A therapist or and nursing staff will be available to assist you with your morning routine as needed and this may be part of your therapy.
The services received during your inpatient rehabilitation stay will depend on your individual needs and skill level. The Inpatient Rehabilitation Units at both Cobb and Kennestone hospitals provide the following services:
- Physiatry: Physicians with training in the medical specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). PM&R physicians coordinate the overall program of care including medical and rehabilitation management during the inpatient rehabilitation stay as well as after the transition to home.
- Neuropsychology: Evaluate and treat the behavioral, cognitive and family difficulties associated with disabling illnesses or injuries. Assist patients, families and staff in adapting to treatment, interventions and transition to home and community living.
- Rehabilitation Nursing: Nurses with special training in rehabilitation providing medical and rehabilitation nursing care to patients. Rehabilitation nurses in addition to providing medical nursing care assist patients in using the skills they have learned in therapy promoting the patient’s independence and self-care for transition home.
- Physical therapy: Works with patients in achieving the maximum mobility, function, strength and endurance. Physical Therapy focuses on body mechanics in addition to mobility, training patients to navigate safely and more independently in their own environment.
- Occupational therapy: Works with patients to achieve maximum independence in activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing or showering, and toileting. Occupational Therapy will also focus on improving upper body strength and sensory abilities including vision and balance. In addition, Occupational therapy may also assess and train patients on the use of adaptive equipments to help increase functional independence upon returning to home and to work.
- Speech therapy: Works with patients in the areas of functional communication skills (speaking and understanding), problem solving, thinking, eating and swallowing. Speech/language therapy may also assess and train patients on the use of assistive technology for communication functions.
- Social Work/Case Management: Helps the patients and family understand the rehabilitation process and help identify resources in the community to assist with functional independence at home. They also work with insurance providers and other agencies to coordinate care upon discharge.
- Therapeutic Recreation:(Kennestone) designed to help patients enhance independence in life activities by reducing or eliminateing limitations to participation in life situations caused by an illness or a disabling condition.
Preparing for Discharge
Our team works with you and your family throughout the inpatient rehabilitation stay to assist with preparations toward a return to your home and community. Arrangements will be made for the level of care required after leaving the hospital, including home care or outpatient care. The goal is to make your transition back home, back to work and back to your life as smooth as possible.