I have been working in the Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility since graduating from PT school, and I can honestly say that I have witnessed some of the most remarkable recoveries in my physical therapy career. Most recoveries can be contributed to the intense nature of the rehabilitation process, which also leaves some patients/family members skeptical about whether to receive rehabilitation after an acute injury or illness.

That is why I wanted to share with you my top 5 benefits of receiving inpatient rehabilitation, and how it can significantly help with your recovery; but first, let me explain just what inpatient rehabilitation is.

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Background of Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) are designed for patients who are in the acute phases (usually 3 months or less) of their injury or illness and require help to regain their maximum physical function before returning home. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities can either be located inside of a hospital, or be a free-standing facility, and consist of teams involving a case manager, physician, nurse, and therapist (Physical, Occupational, or Speech).

Patients may also receive services from a nutritionist for their dietary needs, and/or a neuropsychologist or psychologist if ordered by their physician. In order to receive placement in an IRF program, you must have a medical need/a need for nursing management, have potential for functional improvement, have a need for therapy services (at least 2 disciplines one of which has to be either PT or OT), and be able to tolerate 3 hours of therapy each day.

Most patients who are accepted into the IRF programs are accepted on average of about 14 days, depending on their needs. The days of acceptance are driven by the rate at which the patient can reach their maximum functional potential, and their ability to show measurable improvements throughout their stay.

These days are usually predetermined by the insurance companies after the evaluation process has been submitted. IRFs also require weekly team conference meetings, are headed by either the physician or case manager, and involve each discipline giving their input on the functional progress of the patient.

Whew, I know that was quite a bit of information, but now that you have a brief background of what to expect in an IRF program, let’s dive in, to my top 5 benefits of an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility.

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#1 AIDES IN FASTER RECOVERIES

Since the requirement for an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility is to participate in at least 3 hours of therapy each day for 5 days each week, it’s a no-brainer that IRF programs are very intense.

Most individual therapy sessions can last between 30-90 minutes and are led by either a Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapist.

Their primary job is to work with patients on their specific needs in order to reach their maximum function needed to return home safely, and as independently as possible.

In order to achieve this goal in such a short period of time, participation is a MUST in order to remain in these facilities. Often times home exercise programs (HEPs) are given in addition to the 3 hours per day sessions, and more sessions may be added if the extra time is beneficial.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities strive to keep you out of bed as long as possible and functioning as independently as possible. Patients who are unable to tolerate the 3 hours of therapy each day, or patients who are not safe to return home after their rehab stay, often discharge to a lower level of intensity facility (most typically a Skilled Nursing Facility, SNF).

Due to the intense nature of Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities, it is very possible for a low functioning patient to be able to discharge home within a matter of a few weeks. So if you think you can handle 3 hours of therapy each day, I recommend you give an IRF program a try. Yes you will be pushed to do your best and yes it will be hard, but you will benefit ultimately in the end.

#2 IT’S FUNCTION-BASED

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities or IRFs function as a link between a hospital stay and a return to home.

Since the goal is for the patient to return home functioning at his/her maximal potential, therapist in IRF programs tend to develop programs based around a patient’s everyday lifestyle. That means the patient is given an opportunity to play an active role in setting their goals.

For example, a patient’s goal may be to be able to climb stairs so they can enter their home, be able to sign their name with their affected hand or be able to swallow regular consistency foods.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for a therapy session to consist of handwriting, dressing, transfers to and from the bed or commode, climbing stairs, identifying room numbers and signs in the hallway, etc in conjunction with therapeutic exercises. These function-based activities allow patients to improve their deficits by practicing tasks that they will use on a day-to-day basis.

#3 IT USES A MULTI-DISCIPLINE APPROACH

As mentioned in the previous sections, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities consist of teams made up of a rehab physician, a nurse, a therapist, and a case manager. All disciplines work in conjunction to make sure that the overall needs of the patient are being met.

Not only does a team of healthcare workers better help meet the needs of their patients, but patients also receive multiple viewpoints and recommendations to help them explore options and make better decisions regarding their care. The weekly case conference meetings also provide an excellent opportunity for the team to come together to discuss patient progress.

The therapist will discuss how much assistance the patient is needing with tasks such as mobility, ADLs, cognition and/or swallowing; and will give recommendations on when or whether the patient can discharge home with or without assistance.

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 The nursing staff will focus on patient progress as it pertains to skin health, medication management, pain management, bowel & bladder regimen, and nutrition intake. Case managers reinforce the discharge plan after receiving input from the team and provide a brief overview of the patient’s home environment, access to resources, and family situation.

Case managers also communicate with insurance companies and provide input on how many days the patient’s insurance is willing to cover, as well as if additional days can be added if needed.

After the team conference meeting, the patient and family are then notified of the findings and can either agree or disagree by voicing their concern. Having a team approach provides the patient with a more holistic view of their health needs, which aides in making better decisions and ultimately leads to a smoother transition from the hospital.

#4 IT’S USUALLY SURROUNDED BY A HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

Another perk associated with IRFs are that facilities are either located inside of a hospital or free-standing near a hospital.

Given that patients who are admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities have a medical condition that warrants attention, you never know when an emergency can arise while receiving rehab, and trust…it does happen.

By being close to or inside of a hospital, emergency help arrives within seconds (usually in the form of a rapid response team or RRT), and can even transport patients to the appropriate floor or building if needed.

There are also times in non-emergency situations where patients may need to receive imaging such as CT scans, X-rays, MRIs, and dopplers. Physicians can place orders in the patient’s chart and have patients transported to receive these services either the same day or the following day.

Depending on the severity of the illness, test results can be available the same day that the test was administered. Hospitals give patients quicker access to services that they may not be able to receive in a different setting. In a hospital setting, patients will also receive care from multiple disciplines to aid in their recovery, as explained in the previous section.

#5 HELPS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STAFF

Since most patients are in IRFs for a few weeks, they have the opportunity to really get to know the hospital personnel. Most patients that get admitted to a rehab facility are quite anxious about receiving care, which is understandable given the trauma that they have just experienced.

By the time patients have reached an IRF unit, they have been transported multiple times, to multiple places, by multiple people. It’s no wonder why patients are tired, frustrated, and have difficulty keeping track of people that they have encountered.

In addition, patients are under the care of multiple doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel, which causes increased anxiety on top of their already dire situation.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities provide at least some stability, in that patients are usually assigned to a team that consists of the same staff throughout the duration of their rehab stay.

Not to say that staff will not change from time to time, but it usually provides comfort in knowing that your needs are being addressed by staff that knows your situation, and have assisted you since your admission.

This helps to foster trust and opens the door for communication and understanding regarding the patient’s specific needs, desires, and goals.

Those are my top 5 benefits and reasons for recommending an IRF program. Whatever your deficits maybe, I hope you will consider these 5 benefits to help you make the best decision regarding you or your loved ones’ care. GOD BLESS YOUR ENDEAVORS!!