Our Team Approach

The best way to help you meet your goals is through a team approach. With your input, we will help define your emotional and physical needs, assess your strengths, and refine and reinforce your skills. This is important so that you can succeed when you leave Adventist Rehab. We treat you as a whole human being with a life... friends...problems... joys...and a need to be independent again. Below is an introduction to the team members, so that you have a good idea of who we are and how we work with you. Some of the members listed may not be involved in your specific care. You may notice that a given skill or task is the focus of more than one kind of therapy. This is to make sure that we cover everything you need.

You

You are the most important member of the team. We depend on you to give us the background information we need to plan your course of rehabilitation. We also depend on your enthusiasm. Your active participation will make your progress go more smoothly. Without your support, the rehabilitation process just doesn't work! Above all, ask questions. Please make sure to tell us if you don't understand something. If you have a concern, let us know. We want to help and by working together, we have a great chance of resolving your concerns.

Family/Friends/Caregivers

Your family, friends and/or caregivers will be asked to share in several aspects of the rehabilitation process. They, as your support team, may be asked to attend team and/or family conferences. The case manager will be working with you and your support team. Toward the end of your stay, your support team may be asked to attend therapy sessions. Before attending a therapy session, please refer to the Inpatient Therapy Gym Etiquette section of this handbook. The case manager or therapist will schedule the training session with the primary caregiver. The purpose of their attendance is to help them learn how to assist you at home. Your support team is encouraged to take an active role in your rehabilitation, but they must be specifically trained to do so. It is not safe for them to attempt to assist you out of bed or a wheelchair or walk with you until they have participated in one or more training sessions.

Doctor

Our rehabilitation teams are led by doctors, physiatrists (fi-zi-a-trist), who are trained in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This doctor works with you and the team to build a plan of action. He/she translates your personal goals and needs into the areas that the team will focus on during your rehabilitation. This doctor also works with referring and consulting doctors to address the full scope of your medical and rehabilitation needs.

Case Manager

The role of the case manager is to work with patients by assessing, planning and advocating for their health needs. The case manager will assist you in understanding and coping with the rehabilitation process.

Your case manager will be meeting with you to provide information about what you can expect during your stay and gather information to help you plan for your discharge. Each patient is assigned to a case manager. The case manager will communicate with you and the team regarding insurance coverage, continuing care options, home versus outpatient therapy, recommendations for medical equipment, community resources, and psychosocial adjustment to life after illness/injury.

Your options for discharge depend greatly on your ability to participate in rehab, medical condition at the time of discharge, insurance benefits, and personal preferences. The planning process begins with your first day at Adventist Rehab.

The rehab team will meet weekly to discuss your progress. Case management will discuss the results with you within 24 hours of the meeting. We can arrange for you to meet with the rehab team if you have concerns or questions you would like to address.

Case management has forms for Advance Directives. We can explain these forms to you if you want to appoint a power of attorney for health care or make a Living Will. If you have already completed these forms, we will need a copy immediately upon admission. If you cannot easily access copies, we will ask you to complete another Advanced Directive, so that we know your preferences. If you do not wish to complete an Advance Directive, that is your choice as well.

On the day of discharge, you will be given a green folder with information about your follow-up care. Discharge time is between 10am and 11am. Case management will make every effort to get your care arranged in advance so you can leave during that time.

Nurse

The Nursing Department is composed of RNs, LPNs, and Rehabilitation Assistants. To determine the nursing care you need, your level of care is fully assessed by a licensed nurse on admission and throughout your stay. If you have a preference regarding any aspect of your care, please inform your nurse. We will attempt in every way possible, to meet your needs. Nursing is the only department that is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each shift, a nurse and rehab assistant works as a team with you to help you achieve the best outcomes for your recovery. The nursing staff will educate you about patient safety, your medications, bowel and bladder management and pain management. Nursing will also help you with bathing and dressing activities. Please wait for assistance before getting up. We are concerned with your safety, so in the beginning we may help you with many of your activities. Please check with us and ask for help to move around. Most patients start their day around 6:00 in the morning. Showers are typically on an every other day schedule, and the nursing staff will finalize your schedule with you.

Therapy

Therapy sessions are scheduled between 7am and 4:30pm, seven days a week. Sessions last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes for each discipline. Your therapy schedule will be distributed to you at breakfast, as well as posted near the nurses station and the therapy gym. Most patients have both morning and afternoon physical and occupational therapy sessions, and may also have speech and recreation therapy as needed. We will show you where therapy areas are located on your first day. The first day of therapy will involve evaluations from physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology and/or therapeutic recreation. You are encouraged to take your pain medication before therapy to promote participation in the therapy session. You are also encouraged to bring yourself to therapy by wheelchair or walking if you can.

Physical Therapist (PT)

Physical Therapy, or PT, focuses on mobility to improve your level of function so you can achieve the highest level of independence. The Physical Therapist will develop a program for you to work on strength, endurance, agility, balance, and coordination. The areas in which Physical Therapy will train you include: walking, transfers, and bed mobility. Any of the above areas may be addressed in an individual or group session. Any special equipment needs will also be assessed. The Physical Therapist will identify equipment that may help you move more easily.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

Occupational Therapy, or OT, focuses on improving ADLs, or Activities of Daily Living. The specific areas that the therapist may assist you with include: eating skills, grooming, hygiene, dressing, and bathing. Other areas that may be addressed include functional bathroom transfers and home management skills. Any of the above areas maybe addressed in an individual or group therapy session. Any special equipment needs to assist with ADLs will be assessed by the Occupational Therapist.

Speech-Language Pathology (SLP)

Speech-Language Pathology, or SLP, focuses on evaluation and treatment in the areas of communication, swallowing, and cognition. Treatment programs are designed to address problem areas such as understanding others; communicating wants, needs and ideas; reading; writing; memory; judgment; and attention. Swallowing therapy is provided as needed to people who have impaired ability to safely swallow food and/or liquid.

Therapeutic Recreation (TR)

"TR" focuses on developing skills necessary to promote leisure awareness, functional leisure skills, community re-entry, and social skills. These skills may be addressed through individual or group setting.

Psychologist

If needed, a consulting psychologist provides additional evaluation on an ongoing basis. Behavior management plans are developed as needed to improve recovery through improved social and cognitive abilities. The psychologist also provides counseling and patient/family crisis intervention, if necessary.

Other Services

Other professionals provide services as needed, and work with the treatment team in delivering comprehensive care. These professionals include:

• Registered Dietician
• Laboratory Technician/Pathologist
• Pharmacist
• Wound Care Specialist
• Radiologist
• Respiratory Therapist
• Chaplain
• Other Physician Specialists

Team Conferences

Team conferences will be held weekly with your therapists, nurses, case manager and physician to track your progress. The case manager will discuss the results of this meeting with you. Together, we can work together to further your successful reentry into the community.