Inpatient Physical Rehabilitation
Baptist Health's experienced group of employees knows the importance of consistent care for patients in helping to build their confidence and trust. In addition, their collective experience provides a depth of knowledge not often found in other facilities. Baptist Health takes a team approach to care that involves a variety of specialists in assisting patients with goal setting for treatment, and for their return home.
Our team of rehabilitation specialists work with patients and their families to plan treatment and set goals, including:
- Increased movement.
- Improved communication skills.
- Addressing emotional concerns.
- Increased independence in personal care and homemaking skills.
- Developing new leisure time pursuits and participating in group activities.
- Arranging for a return home.
- Continuing rehabilitation through outpatient or home health services.
Our Team Approach to Inpatient Rehabilitation at Baptist Health
The following team assists patients with setting goals for treatment as well as individualized goals for returning home.
A rehabilitation physician oversees and coordinates individual rehabilitation with input from the team.
Rehabilitation nurses provide support to patients and their families, and coordinate treatment plans and nursing care.
Physical therapists help patients improve their strength, coordination and balance to reach specific goals, such as independent movement, wheelchair mobility or walking.
Occupational therapists help patients develop the strength and fine coordination needed to perform activities such as eating, dressing, grooming and homemaking.
Speech-language pathologists evaluate and provide treatment for patients experiencing communication problems to regain listening, reading, speaking and writing skills. Swallowing problems are also evaluated and treated.
Therapeutic recreation specialists aid patients and families with developing leisure activities that enhance recovery and adjusting to the community.
Social workers help patients and families understand and participate in rehabilitation through individual meetings and a family conference. In addition, social workers coordinate discharge plans.
Psychologists (as needed) are involved in the diagnosis of specific difficulties patients may have with problem solving, memory or concentration. Psychological treatment may also help patients and families adjust to disabilities and lifestyle changes.
Chaplains provide spiritual support for patients and families through their recovery.
Dietitians assist patients in adjusting to changes in their diet and nutritional needs.
This specialized team of clinicians unites with one goal in mind: to see that patients are able to return home. Patients requiring further rehabilitation services after discharge can continue at Baptist Health’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic (based on their physician's recommendation), with the added comfort of familiar surroundings and friendly faces.
Many health problems that cause pain or limit your ability to move normally may be helped by an inpatient rehabilitation stay. This type of rehab may be needed at the hospital before you go home or to an extended care facility. Here are some health problems that it may help:
- Stroke: Stroke is a block or burst of the blood supply to the brain. The most important part of stroke recovery is early rehab that often starts right away in the hospital. Physical rehab can help you relearn how to manage daily activities. It can also help you get back lost function and prevent more damage.
- Spine injury: Neck and back injuries need early treatment for the best results. Physical rehab for these injuries start as soon as possible at the hospital. They help limit more damage and shorten recovery time.
- Pain: If you have severe pain in the hospital after an injury or an operation or because of a nerve or muscle problem, physical rehab may help ease your pain. It can also help you to better handle it.
- Joint conditions: Joint problems can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement. Therapy can ease pain and improve range of movement. It can also teach you how to use your joints without causing more damage. Examples of these conditions are ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.
- Other conditions: You might need physical rehab for cancer, heart disease, lung problems, an amputation, trauma from a motor vehicle accident, or after joint replacement surgery.
What happens during rehab treatments?
At the hospital, your physician may talk with you, examine you, order special tests, and look at your health records. Then he or she will come up with a rehab treatment plan to fit your needs. A Physical therapist (PT), Occupational Therapist (OT) or a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) may help you carry out your plan. Therapists are licensed and trained in how to restore physical mobility and function after an injury or surgery.
Physical, Occupational and Speech therapy are crucial parts of recovery from many health problems you may face in the hospital. In many cases, it is the start of a process that will continue after you leave the hospital. It may be done at an extended care facility. Or you may do it at an outpatient physical rehabilitation department or at home.
You can improve your chances of recovery by learning as much as you can about your health problem. Also work closely with all the members of your rehab team.