Not All Rehab Facilities Are Alike

By JILL HALADAY, DPT, MPH, GCS

 

As Chief Rehabilitation Officer for Lakeland Regional Health, I encounter a lot of confusion and misconceptions surrounding our Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine and skilled nursing facilities.

The Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine is an Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility. Opened in 2015, it is located on the sixth floor of our award-winning Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. We have 32 beds to help patients recovering from stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, major multiple traumas, neurological issues, cancer, cardiac conditions, amputations, pulmonary conditions and complex pain.

Inpatient physical rehab facilities, such as the Bannasch Institute, provide several benefits:

MORE THERAPY. At Bannasch, patients receive a minimum of 15 hours of therapeutic activity each week, giving them the best chance possible for recovery.

HOSPITAL SETTING. One obvious benefit is we are in a hospital, so if a patient is not recovering well or develops a new area of concern, we don’t need to send the patient back to the hospital for care. We have immediate access to multi-specialty physicians, imaging services and laboratory services if a patient needs further examination.

PHYSICIAN OVERSIGHT. Speaking of our physicians, a physician is available to patients at the Bannasch Institute around the clock, supervising their medical and rehabilitation care, making patient rounds and consulting with other physicians about patient care.

When talking with patients and families who are trying to select an appropriate rehabilitation facility, I also bring up the following:

  • Is the facility accredited or actively pursuing accreditation? As part of the Medical Center, we are accredited by the Joint Commission and are in the process of applying for highly regarded accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for the Bannasch Institute.
  • Does the facility provide tours? See for yourself what the rooms, workout equipment and personnel are like, or perhaps the facility offers a virtual live tour.
  • Is there an easy-to-access phone line? Our admissions coordinators are available to answer insurance and medical criteria questions.
  • I like places with a lot of natural light. Sunshine has its own therapeutic value, particularly for patients who may be experiencing depression or anxiety following their medical incident or new diagnosis. Visit in person to see if the rooms have an adequate amount of windows or tend to be dark inside.
  • Inquire about visitation policies and hours. At Bannasch, visitation is open around the clock. We believe that family involvement is an integral part of the recovery process.
  • Will the patient have a private room and bathroom? All patients, but especially those with new physical impairments, can sometimes be frustrated or embarrassed about needing assistance. Giving them their own space, as we do at the Bannasch Institute, respects their need for modesty and privacy.
  • How are employees interacting with one another, patients and other guests? I like to hear people talking with each other and I look for smiles.
  • What does the therapy area look like? Seeing the gym for yourself allows you to get a sense of the level of physical rehabilitation that patients receive. Our gym area is spacious, bright and outfitted with special equipment to help with balance, gait and coordination.
  • Does the patient receive attention in a timely manner? Our nurse-patient ratio is 1 Registered Nurse for each 6 to 7 patients, and our supportive personnel ration is 1 to every 4 or 6 patients.

Because we have stringent medical criteria for admission as well as rigorous guidelines for rehabilitation and care, our patients tend to have the best outcomes. In comparison to skilled nursing facilities, patients who receive care at acute inpatient rehabilitation facilities, such as the Bannasch Institute, have a lower rate of hospital readmission and significantly higher rate of return to home and community after discharge.

If you are interested in learning more about the Bannasch Institute for Advanced Rehabilitation Medicine, I encourage you to visit our webpage or call 863.687.1100, Extension 4094.

About the Author

Jill E. Haladay, DPT, MPH, GCS, is Chief Rehabilitation Officer for Lakeland Regional Health, overseeing all inpatient physical rehabilitation.

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