Inpatient rehabilitation unit, skilled nursing facility, and long term acute care hospital Know the difference
As we get older, difficult decisions arise. At times, these decisions can be confusing as our medical care needs change. Knowing what is available before you need it will lessen the amount of stress you may suffer during a crisis. These three services provide similar medical care in three different settings and anyone can use them. These services can be in the same building by provider or stand alone. Medicare coverage has specific requirements for each of these providers.
What does a skilled nursing facility offer?
A nursing home provides what is called custodial care, including assistance with mobility, feeding, and personal care. Skilled nursing is available 24 hours per day and other medical professionals such as physical therapists are also available. Physician rounds are usually done once every 30 days and nursing rounds are during medication passing, meals and treatments. Nursing ratio is 40 to 50 patients per nurse. Vital signs are usually taken every shift for the first 24 hours and then weekly and as needed.
What does a long term acute care hospital (LTACH) offer?
A LTACH offers care focused on patients with serious and complex medical needs that require intense treatments with an extended recovery time (usually about 30 days). The patients in an LTACH are usually much more ill than a nursing home can treat. The main difference from rehab units and nursing homes is their specialization. LTACH provides 24 hour physician coverage with a broad range of physicians and specialists. Other services provided on site include radiology (CT and MRI), cardiology, and laboratory services. Their team approach includes nursing, respiratory therapists, physical, occupational, and speech therapist.
What does an inpatient rehab unit offer?
An inpatient rehabilitation unit helps patients experiencing a loss of function from injury or illness to become as independent as possible in their daily activities. These professionals teach patients to maximize function based on their needs and abilities. An inpatient rehabilitation unit provides close medical attention, including 24 hours of rehabilitation nursing per day, and at least three hours of physical/occupational therapy five days per week by a multidisciplinary team approach. Other areas of care provided by an inpatient rehabilitation unit include a registered nurse assessment every 24 hours with the ratio of five to eight patients per nurse, physician rounds three times per week, a rehab physician on site six to seven days per week, vital signs taken every shift, and the ability to provide blood transfusions and stroke treatment.
These three services are available depending on the level of care you need. Some patients may move through all three services during the different levels of their care. The ultimate goal is to return a patient to their home with the ability to live an active life.
For more information, contact Wooster Community Hospital’s inpatient rehab unit at 330-263-8421.
What does a skilled nursing facility offer?
A nursing home provides what is called custodial care, including assistance with mobility, feeding, and personal care. Skilled nursing is available 24 hours per day and other medical professionals such as physical therapists are also available. Physician rounds are usually done once every 30 days and nursing rounds are during medication passing, meals and treatments. Nursing ratio is 40 to 50 patients per nurse. Vital signs are usually taken every shift for the first 24 hours and then weekly and as needed.
What does a long term acute care hospital (LTACH) offer?
A LTACH offers care focused on patients with serious and complex medical needs that require intense treatments with an extended recovery time (usually about 30 days). The patients in an LTACH are usually much more ill than a nursing home can treat. The main difference from rehab units and nursing homes is their specialization. LTACH provides 24 hour physician coverage with a broad range of physicians and specialists. Other services provided on site include radiology (CT and MRI), cardiology, and laboratory services. Their team approach includes nursing, respiratory therapists, physical, occupational, and speech therapist.
What does an inpatient rehab unit offer?
An inpatient rehabilitation unit helps patients experiencing a loss of function from injury or illness to become as independent as possible in their daily activities. These professionals teach patients to maximize function based on their needs and abilities. An inpatient rehabilitation unit provides close medical attention, including 24 hours of rehabilitation nursing per day, and at least three hours of physical/occupational therapy five days per week by a multidisciplinary team approach. Other areas of care provided by an inpatient rehabilitation unit include a registered nurse assessment every 24 hours with the ratio of five to eight patients per nurse, physician rounds three times per week, a rehab physician on site six to seven days per week, vital signs taken every shift, and the ability to provide blood transfusions and stroke treatment.
These three services are available depending on the level of care you need. Some patients may move through all three services during the different levels of their care. The ultimate goal is to return a patient to their home with the ability to live an active life.
For more information, contact Wooster Community Hospital’s inpatient rehab unit at 330-263-8421.
Published: August 3, 2011
