Mission

The mission of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit is to provide comprehensive rehabilitation services of the highest quality in order to improve the functional independence of the patients we serve.

Regaining Independence

Our inpatient rehabilitation unit provides intensive rehab and prepares the patient for return home with assistance from family members and/or other caregivers.

Utilizing an interdisciplinary team approach, the following areas are emphasized:

	Increasing self-care skills
	Adjusting psychologically
	Maintaining health, independence, and strength
	Maximizing the ability to enjoy life

Time and Training

Potential candidates are patients who, as a result of injury or illness, have difficulties which may include:

	Balance and coordination problems
	Difficulty swallowing
	Difficulty moving in bed or from one place to another
	Difficulty performing activities of daily living (eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, or homemaking)
	Memory and judgment difficulties speech or language problems, as well as physical limitations
	Weakness or limited motion in arms legs, or trunk

Program Components

Our program consists of rehabilitation in an inpatient setting with comprehensive services including but not limited to:

	Rehabilitation Medicine
	Rehabilitation Nursing
	Physical Therapy
	Speech Therapy
	Occupational Therapy

Family Education and training for discharge is an important part of the program and includes:

	Methods to conserve energy
	Therapeutic exercises
	Use of adaptive equipment
	Adjustment to changing life roles
	Management of medical complications

Planning for discharge includes preparation for ongoing care and rehab follow-up. Other services, such as home health and outpatient therapy, will be planned on an as-needed basis.

Admission Criteria

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit welcomes referrals from doctors, social workers, family members, case managers, insurance representatives, and patients themselves. Usually the referral process is initiated by a written order from the patient’s physician. To be eligible for admission, the individual must:

	Be medically stable
	Need at least two forms of therapy
	Have the potential to improve function or achieve independence
	Be willing to participate with the team who coordinates the rehabilitation process

To Make a Referral

A free pre-admission screening will be provided to all referred patients. The medical Director of the Acute Rehabilitation Unit, a physiatrist, is responsible for authorizing a patient’s admission to the program.

For more information, call (724) 250-2825 and ask for the Program Director or the Community Relations Coordinator. In order to provide prompt attention, the following information will be helpful:

	Patient’s name and location or home address, date of birth, and social security number
	Name of the patient’s referring or family physician
	History or present illness
	Insurance/Medicare Information

A screening is usually completed within four hours of contact with the Acute Rehabilitation Unit. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit is covered by most medical insurances, including Medicare.

Patients Served

The Washington Hospital’s Acute Rehabilitation Unit provides services for patients who have suffered functional loss due to a disabling illness or injury, including the following:

	Stroke (CVA)
	Congenital Deformities
	Major Multiple Trauma
	Brain Injury
	Amputation
	Polyarthritis (including Rheumatoid Arthritis)
	Spinal cord injury
	Orthopedic dysfunction
	Degenerative neurological disorders ? Multiple Sclerosis (MS) ? Polyneuropathy ? Parkinson’s Disease ? Guillian Barre ? Other progressive neurological impairments

Main Street

Main Street, the hospital’s Rehab Community Re-Entry and Apartment Area, is very unique and is utilized by many of the acute rehab patients.

The community re-entry area includes a newspaper vending machine, small grocery area with life-like fruits and vegetables, an ATM, a full-size car for practicing transfers in and out, a gas pump and a putting green.

The apartment area is complete with bed, bath and living rooms, as well as a kitchen and laundry room.

This innovative area helps patients learn to be as independent as possible and less apprehensive about discharge and common obstacles they may face upon returning home.