Inpatient Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation (Acute)

Our team includes experts in multiple specialties who work closely with you to created a personalized treatment plan specific to your health needs and goals.

• Board-certified physiatrists. Physicians who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation will coordinate care and direct all aspects of treatment.
• Certified rehabilitation registered nurses. Help manage rehabilitation treatment plan, provide 24-hour monitoring while in the hospital and prepare you for discharge.
• Occupational therapists. Teach efficient, effective ways to complete your daily activities, such as bathing, eating, personal hygiene and other aspects of your day-to-day routine.
• Physical therapists. Evaluate your physical and functional abilities and help you walk, go up and down stairs and transfer locations.
• Speech therapists. Evaluate and treat difficulties talking, understanding or swallowing after an illness or injury.
• Therapeutic recreation specialists. Plan activities and events that build stamina and strength and provide social and recreational outlets to develop and use new skills and abilities.
• Registered dietitians. Monitor nutrition, develop a personalized meal plan, review medications to prevent any negative interactions, and provide education on healthy eating.

At Catholic Health, we believe that emotional wellbeing is as important as physical recovery. You and your families can find support from our dedicated behavioral health and pastoral care teams.

• Psychologists. Provide education and support to help you and and your family cope with illness or injury as well as administer tests to assess thinking skills, memory, intellect, behavior and emotional adjustment.
• Social workers. Assist you and your family with the discharge planning process, teach tactics to foster self-reliance and identify community resources that offer assistance.
• Pastoral care team. Addresses the spiritual needs and concerns of all rehabilitation patients regardless of faith.

You’ll consult with your team of clinicians, including your physiatrist and rehabilitation nurse, on the day you’re admitted for rehabilitation. Your team will evaluate your condition and assess your physical limitations. We work closely with you to set treatment goals and develop a plan to help make them possible.

Most patients receive three hours of therapy for a minimum of five days a week. A treatment plan typically includes physical and occupational therapy. Speech and language pathology, psychology, therapeutic recreation and nutritional services are included based on your needs.

Your team meets every week to discuss your status and will update you on any changes to your treatment plan.

The admissions team, which includes physiatrists and rehabilitation nurses, consider your ability and motivation to:

• Maintain a reasonable likelihood of discharge
• Make demonstrated functional gains in a reasonable amount of time
• Participate in, and tolerate, an intensive acute rehabilitation program

Financial clearance is obtained by a rehabilitation insurance verifier if you have insurance. We work with the referring hospital and your insurance company to obtain authorization to receive rehabilitative care.

If you are currently a patient in an acute care hospital, the hospital’s discharge planner will make the arrangements for your transportation to rehabilitation care. Most patients are admitted directly from a hospital. However, some patients are admitted from their homes after evaluation from a Catholic Health physiatrist.

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the goals you have for treatment. Our ultimate objective is your safe return to your home and community. We work with you, your family and your caregivers to prepare you for discharge. Preparations include fall prevention training, family meetings and education and support groups to help ensure you’re ready.

The average length of stay for acute rehabilitation is seven to 21 days. If you require care after your discharge, Catholic Health offers convenient outpatient rehabilitation services across Long Island.