Acute Rehabilitation Program information

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit offers intensive rehabilitation therapy in an inpatient hospital environment for patients who have experienced a severe physical impairment.

• We provide rehabilitation via a collaborative and coordinated interdisciplinary team approach.
• Our main goal is restoring maximal function and independence for patients. This involves hands-on therapy as well as active participation from the patient, the family and caregivers. All patients are encouraged to be out of bed, feed themselves, wear regular clothing and participate in the Unit's activities.
• During the first few days in the Acute Rehabilitation Unit, the patient will receive an evaluation by the Unit's team to set up an individualized therapy plan that meets the patient's needs and goals.
• In order to facilitate a smooth transition from the Acute Rehabilitation Unit to the patient's discharge destination, the Unit's team collaborates with home health agencies to ensure that the patient will receive continued therapy and nursing care following the patient's discharge.
• The Acute Rehabilitation Unit team will also assist in making formal arrangements for services such as outpatient therapy, durable medical equipment, prosthetics/orthotics, and environmental and home modifications, as needed.
• We provide a Resource Center with information about community resources, such as support groups, driver rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation.
• Due to certain situations, a patient's progress may be slow or not advance. The patient may require a higher level of care and may need to be discharged from the Unit. If this occurs, the patient and/or caregivers will be notified of the discharge plan and the patient will be evaluated for readmission when appropriate.

To best serve our patients and their families, we follow set routines and policies within the Acute Rehabilitation Unit. The following statements will apply to the patient's treatment plan:

1. The patient will receive a written disclosure statement regarding the services that the patient will be receiving while on the Unit. The statement will be based on the results of the rehabilitation consult and the evaluations that the patient received after admission. The treatment team may modify the services the patient receives based on individual needs and progress.
2. Patient evaluations are completed every day of the week, as ordered. Patients are scheduled to receive three hours of one-on-one therapy five days a week. Therapy days are Monday through Saturday. A patient's treatment schedule is subject to change, so please check with the Acute Rehabilitation Unit team regarding the patient's daily activities.
3. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit recognizes patient confidentiality and privacy. Every effort will be made to provide privacy. The Unit's program incorporates therapy and family training in functional locations to meet the therapy needs of the patient. These functional locations include the activity room and the hallways. If there is an objection to receiving therapy in these locations, we will provide treatment in the patient's room.
4. A weekly team conference is held on a designated day of the week. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit team, including the Acute Rehabilitation Unit physicians, nurses, therapists, case manager and/or social worker, discusses each patient's services, goals, progress and estimated length of stay.
5. A family conference will be scheduled soon after the patient's admission to the Unit. Families will be contacted by the social worker to arrange a time for the meeting. The meeting is held in the Acute Rehabilitation Unit conference room. During this meeting, family members will meet with the Acute Rehabilitation team and have the opportunity to ask questions. At the time of the family conference, the occupational therapist may schedule a home evaluation, as needed.
6. Family training and education sessions will be arranged so that family members are comfortable with therapeutic techniques for mobility, activities of daily living, swallow function and medication administration. During this training time, therapists and nurses may provide recommendations for durable medical equipment. The Unit's team encourages a hands-on learning experience for family and caregivers during the patient's entire stay. These additional arranged training sessions will provide further specific information to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to the patient's discharge destination.
7. We ask that families bring in enough comfortable clothes and shoes that allow for participation in therapy for three to five days. Clothes should fit comfortably and fasten easily. It is recommended that clothes be labeled with the individual's name. Families are responsible for laundering any clothes brought from home. Plastic bags are provided for soiled clothing. Gym or tennis shoes are recommended. The therapists can provide information about the type of shoe needed. Families should bring in any necessary eyeglasses, hearing aids and dentures for the patient. Please notify the nurse when items are brought from home so they can be listed in the patient's medical record.
8. We encourage families to bring in toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and lotions that the patient prefers to use.
9. Families and caregivers may visit during the day. Please check with the nurse about visiting hours and specific restrictions. If visitation of a patient in "isolation" is permitted, the visitors will be informed and must comply with isolation procedures in order to protect themselves and others in the Unit. Families are permitted to stay with patients in certain circumstances for the purpose of decreasing patient and/or family anxiety, agitation or confusion. Please make this request to the Acute Rehabilitation Unit management or nursing team.
10. Patients are encouraged to increase their strength by being out of bed and sitting in a chair as much as possible. Rest periods are scheduled by the therapy team to prevent fatigue.
11. Unit therapeutic activities and mealtimes are an important part of our program. Patients are encouraged to socialize and engage in activities such as movie viewings and games. Families are also encouraged to join patients at mealtimes to help provide the patient with a more normal routine. Breakfast is served at approximately 8 a.m.; lunch is served at approximately noon; and dinner is served at approximately 5 p.m. Food from home may be brought in by family members after checking with nursing, speech-language pathology and dietary staff regarding any special needs or restrictions for the patient.
12. Spiritual support is available to all patients and families as requested.
13. Services on-site that allow for timely testing, communication of results, and decision making regarding the patient's treatment plan include medical consults, such as neurology, oncology and orthopedics. Medical Services such as dialysis, wound care, respiratory therapy, medical nutrition, radiology and imaging, laboratory services, pharmacy services, prosthetics/orthotics, and neuropsychology are available.

Providing our patients and their loved ones with quality care is our No. 1 priority. Should you have any questions or concerns, you may speak to any team member at 626.814.2457 or try the following extensions for specific team members.

Corporate Director
Gilda Dominguez, M.S., CCC-SLP 
Ext. 24037

Medical Director
John Lindberg, MD
Ext. 22457

Assistant Director
Marianna Ward, RN-BC, CRRN
Ext. 22819

Chief Nurse and Clinical Executive
Kevin Streeter, RN, MBA
Ext. 22814