Answers to most Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab & and Sub-Acute Care
Q. What is
sub-acute care?
A.
It's a level of care that is less intense than acute care hospitals provide;
therefore the term "sub-acute". Patients who require this level
of care are medically stable and no longer require acute hospital care.
Q. Why do people
need sub-acute care?
A.
Today's shorter hospital stays result in patients being discharged before
they are ready to function independently and safely at home.
Q. What services
are provided for sub-acute patients?
A. To prepare
patients to return to their own homes they often require continued skilled
nursing care and rehabilitation. The services of competent, as well as, cheerful
physicians, dietitians, social workers, and activity workers round out the
spectrum of clinical services.
Q. What other
services does the Homeward Bound unit offer?
A. Amenities
include cable tv for each patient, telephones at each bedside, internet access
and individually controlled air conditioning. Patients dine in a separate
dining room overlooking the patio. Several lounges are available for patients,
their families and friends.
Q. What kinds
of illnesses and injuries are treated
in
the sub-acute setting?
A. The
Homeward Bound unit provides post-surgical care, wound care, pain management,
IV therapy, as well as nutritional counseling and restorative rehabilitation.
Patients recovering from orthopedic surgery (i.e. knee or hips), as well as
those recovering from strokes and other neurological disorders are treated.
Other illnesses or conditions that are treated are those in which the patient
is unable to return home upon hospital discharge.
Q.
How long does a patient stay before returning home?
A. The
length of stay for each patient is based upon that person's individual needs.
Some people have relatively short stays (a week or 2), while others may stay
up to 100 days.
Q. What if
the patient is not completely independent
when it is time to return home?
A. Sometimes,
patients need to continue rehabilitation even after they return home. The
discharge planner here will assist the patient and family to arrange for continued
care in the community. The patient may be able to access out-patient services
locally and, if necessary, receive other home care services.
Q. Who pays for sub-acute care?
A. Most
private insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid.
Q. How does
the patient benefit?
A. The patient receives medical, nursing, and rehabilitation services
(physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and audiologist services).
The patient also learns how to function independently upon returning home.
