Rehabilitation Services in the Hospital
Rehabilitation services at UofL Health – UofL Hospital consists of physical, occupational and speech therapy. While in the hospital the medical provider(s) (physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner) may consult one or more therapy services. Nurses and other health care practitioners on the medical care team may also identify the need for rehabilitation services and can make recommendations as appropriate to the medical provider(s).
Rehabilitation services may be consulted to evaluate and treat patients with a wide variety of acute medical and surgical conditions. Rehabilitation services are provided throughout the hospital including the following specialized areas:
- Trauma
- Stroke
- Burn
- Oncology
- Neonatal Intensive Care
- ICU/Critical Care
- Emergency Room
- Cardiovascular
- Orthopedics
- Neurosurgery
The main goals of rehabilitation services in the hospital are the following:
- Evaluate and treat for any functional impairments related to the current medical and/or surgical condition of the patient.
- Assist the medical team in determining the best and safest discharge option for the next level of care determined by therapist’s clinical findings. The next level of care could include Home, Acute Inpatient Rehab, Sub Acute Rehab or Outpatient Rehab.
- Recommend equipment to assist with mobility and activities of daily living.
- Provide an individualized therapy treatment plan for the patient while in the hospital. Treatment frequencies may vary during the patient’s hospitalization. The patient is continually re-assessed each therapy treatment session with safety and patient benefit in mind.
Prior to starting the initial therapy evaluation and treatment, the therapist will conduct a thorough chart review of the patient’s medical history and consult with the medical team as needed. Typically, therapy evaluations and treatments will occur at the patient’s bedside and a rehab technician may accompany the therapist for assistance as needed. During the initial therapy evaluation, the therapist will inquire about the patient’s previous level of function, social history, previous experiences with rehabilitation services and other pertinent information related to the care of the patient while in the hospital. Physical, occupational and speech therapy each provide a detailed examination and assessment of the patient during the initial evaluation. Once the initial evaluation is completed the therapist will determine the best plan for therapy treatment going forward and discharge recommendations.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy in the hospital setting focuses on the following:
- Improving range of motion, strength and endurance.
- Improving mobility specifically with bed mobility, transfers and ambulation.
- Training and instructing on the use of assistive devices for safe mobility and ambulation. (wheelchairs, canes, walkers, crutches).
- Balance training to improve safety during mobility-especially important for patients who have fallen or are at risk of falling.
- Providing recommendations for a safe discharge plan after hospitalization.
- Creating an exercise program while in the hospital and/or for home.
- Providing education on mobility techniques, safety and precautions to the patient, family and/or caregiver.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy in the hospital setting focuses on the following:
- Activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and eating.
- Evaluating and treating cognitive impairments.
- Training and instructing on the use of adaptive equipment to assist with self-care.
- Improving functional and coordination training of upper extremities.
- Custom orthotic fabrication for the upper extremities.
- Providing education on mobility techniques, safety, skin checks and precautions to the patient, family and/or caregiver.
- Providing recommendations for a safe discharge plan after hospitalization.
- Creating an exercise program while in the hospital and/or for home.
- Providing education on mobility techniques, safety, skin checks and precautions to the patient, family and/or caregiver.
Speech-Language Pathology
Speech-language pathology in the hospital setting focuses on the following:
- Providing strategies, modifications and diet recommendations for swallowing impairments.
- Performing tests for swallowing such as a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS) and/or Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES)
- Evaluating and treating for speech and language impairments.
- Speaking valve trials to improve phonation and speech intelligibility for patients with tracheotomy tubes.
- Evaluating and treating cognitive impairments.
- Providing recommendations for continued speech therapy services once discharged from the hospital.
Rehabilitation services at UofL Hospital can be contacted at 502-562-4691.
