Rehabilitation hospitals provide care to patients who are suffering orthopedic, musculoskeletal, neurological, and other conditions. These vital services bridge the care continuum to ensure patients who are medically stable – yet still in need of care and physician oversight 24 hours a day – receive the treatment and support they need. Understanding rehab hospitals and the role they play is vital to delivering holistic and integrative care for patients recovering from severe conditions.
Rehab hospitals 101
Rehabilitation services primarily comprise independent hospitals operating within acute care facilities or hospitals. They were initially created to fill the need for facilities that were less costly on a daily basis compared to general hospitals while still providing high levels of professional care.
Rehab hospitals are vital for the recovery and long-term care of acute patients. With America’s aging population, these facilities will only increase in importance. Rehab is an active, coordinated process. Individuals impacted by disease or injury, along with the recovery process, work with a rehab team to achieve the best level of independence.
How does a rehab hospital serve the public?
Rehabilitation programs are both goal-oriented and time-limited. The rehab team assesses patients’ goals and works with them to discuss discharge plans when appropriate. The length of the stay is based on these goals and the ability to achieve them. It may change depending on progress.
General hospitals will evaluate if patients may benefit from rehabilitation services. If a positive determination is made, the acute care hospital will file a report concerning patient needs and send it to the rehabilitation hospital. The rehab facility has the discretion to admit the patient or not.
Types of therapy offered
Rehab facilities offer full spectrum care individualized for patient needs inside skilled nursing facilities. Rehab options include physical and occupational therapies.
Examples of treatment modalities in occupational therapy include:
- reacting to sensory input (self-regulation skills)
- holding and controlling a pen, using scissors (fine motor skills, motor planning)
- writing and copying letters and notes (fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination)
- throwing and catching games with objects, balls, and toys (gross motor skills like balance and coordination)
- self-care practices including getting dressed and brushing teeth (fine motor skills and motor planning)
Physical therapy care may include:
- pain relief exercises
- strength training exercises
- warm water therapy
- ultrasound therapy
- joint and muscle building exercises
Generally, patients receive daily therapy 5 days a week. However, the amount of therapy varies according to patient needs. Likewise, the hours of therapy may change during a patient’s time in rehab.
Medicare requirements
Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals must meet Medicare requirements and bill at Medicare rates. Medicare permits patients to have a lifetime total of 100 days in such a facility. Patients access these hospitals following inpatient stays in general hospitals. According to The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the current industry standard is that patients receive a minimum of three hours of therapy per day at least 5 days per week or “at least 15 hours of intensive rehabilitation therapy within a 7-consecutive day period.”
How can Harmony consultants serve in a rehab hospital?
As a consultant for Harmony, you’ll have the opportunity to help make healthcare smarter while developing your own personal career growth in roles such as:
- Health information management leadership
- Clinical documentation improvement leadership
- Coding leadership
- Revenue cycle leadership
- CDI Specialist
- Inpatient Coder/Coder Auditor
- Outpatient Coder/Coder Auditor
We have partnerships with rehab hospitals across the United States. If you’re interested in a role that values integrative care for patients recovering from a wide range of conditions, we’re here to help you make that happen.
Learn more about possibilities through Harmony here.
How can Harmony benefit a rehab hospital?
From coding management to clinical documentation, rehab hospitals are vital to integrative healthcare. As a member of the team that serves in these organizations, you recognize what this type of care means to people who are fighting to recover from severe conditions. You also recognize how the right staffing and consulting solutions can enable your team to better serve your patient population.
Here at Harmony, we understand the challenges rehab hospitals see each day. We stand by your mission to provide care to patients who are learning to become more independent with each new therapy. We’re here to support your revenue goals with interim staffing and consulting solutions. These solutions work behind the scenes to help you create – and maintain – a healthier population.
Learn more about how we can empower your rehab hospital here.
