Body
It’s important to be confident about the quality of care you will receive when choosing an inpatient rehabilitation hospital — also known as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) — after an illness or injury.
There are certain things to look for and questions to ask when determining where to go for rehabilitation — especially if you are recovering from a complex condition such as a brain injury, spinal cord injury or stroke; after limb loss; or if you’ve experienced impairments due to cancer, surgery or a prolonged hospitalization.
Here are a few questions to consider as you make your decision.
Is the hospital specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation?
Body
The hospital you choose should be accredited in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). Look for independent signals of quality, such as third-party accreditations and designations through organizations, including:
- The Joint Commission
- The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- CARF International
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Third-party designations reflect a hospital’s commitment to safety, outcomes and continuous improvement.
Is the hospital expert at treating your condition?
Body
You’ll want to choose a hospital that specializes in treating your specific condition. For example, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab treats more patients for spinal cord injury and brain injury than any other rehabilitation hospital in the country.
If an IRF treats hundreds, or even thousands, of patients a year with traumatic brain injury or other complex conditions, the expertise of its staff will vary significantly from one that only treats 50 annually.
Do interdisciplinary teams work together to treat patients?
Body
An interdisciplinary care team brings together experts from many specialties — doctors; nurses; physical, occupational and speech therapists; psychologists; and researchers, to name a few — to work toward a shared goal: helping each patient achieve the best-possible recovery.
Rather than treating challenges in isolation, team members collaborate closely, share insights and coordinate care so medical, physical, cognitive and emotional needs are addressed together. This integrated approach helps identify challenges earlier and provide personalized support that reflects your unique goals, strengths and circumstances.
Is the latest research incorporated into recovery?
Body
A hospital that invests in research and discovery — and quickly adopts new approaches and evidence-based practices — can lead to better outcomes.
What support is offered for family members?
Body
Family members should be encouraged to participate in their loved one’s therapy sessions and to be present during nursing care. Involvement in these activities is important because it will help the family feel comfortable as their loved one gains independence and plans to go home or to the next level of care.
How does the hospital prepare patients for discharge?
Body
The facility should be equipped with “activity of daily living spaces” so patients can practice navigating a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom during therapy. Dedicated social workers and discharge planners should be involved in helping patients obtain equipment and transportation following discharge, along with addressing other needs.
Does the hospital offer a comprehensive continuum of care to support all stages of recovery?
Body
Oftentimes, patients with complex conditions require additional, ongoing therapy after being discharged from the inpatient level of care. This allows patients to continue to build skills and adjust to new abilities as they transition back to their home and community.
Additional Considerations:
Body
✓ Are patients on floors based on their condition, so as to provide an added source of support and comfort?
✓ Are diagnostics, such as CT scans, MRI, ultrasound and X-ray, available onsite to facilitate easy testing?
✓ If you’re traveling from a far distance, is a patient and family housing program available?
✓ Are additional therapies and quality-of-life programs available to support your emotional and social wellbeing, in addition to your physical recovery? These may include programs such as adaptive sports, art therapy, music therapy, spiritual care, and more.
For more information, download our Rehabilitation Hospital Checklist.