What is Acute Rehabilitation?

Acute rehabilitation is an intensive, specialized inpatient hospital program designed to rebuild a patient’s strength, endurance and achieve recovery following a debilitating injury, illness or medical condition. Jeannette Caron, SLP, Speech Pathologist, Northern Nevada Medical Center, shares her insights on the conditions typically treated in acute rehab. Those conditions include stroke, brain injury, major trauma, medical deconditioning and other disabling conditions, neurological conditions, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury and amputation.

How does acute rehabilitation differ from outpatient rehabilitation?

Acute rehabilitation takes place in a hospital setting where patients are receiving three hours of intensive therapy designed to allow for a safe return to home. Treatment includes time with physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists, based on the patient’s condition.

Outpatient rehabilitation often follows acute rehabilitation treatment or is used as a strengthening tool for those experiencing pain related to aging or chronic injury. Patients seeking care in an outpatient therapy setting are seen a couple times a week, based on their needs, to allow for continued support throughout the treatment and healing of an injury, but are not in need of constant supervision to maintain a safe daily routine when at home.

What services are offered in an acute rehabilitation unit?

Beyond the normal care team of a physician, dietitian and medical care team, patients in the acute rehabilitation unit are treated by physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists.

A physical therapist is responsible for strengthening and balancing a patient’s body and works towards physical wellness. An occupational therapist supports the performance of daily activities, including getting dressed, cooking and grooming. A speech therapist helps with various speech, language, cognitive and swallowing disorders. The therapies team will work with the patient to ensure they are prepared before going home.

When might a patient require time in an acute rehabilitation unit?

Patients that need to increase their level of stability, strength or cognition after a severe injury or illness often spend time in an acute rehabilitation unit. During their time in the unit, they will work with a specialized therapies team to ensure they are able to safely take care of themselves when in a home setting. For physical therapy rehabilitation, this may involve practicing daily routines such as making the bed, cooking, bending and mobility, reaching and more.

Not only are patients’ families and friends allowed to visit the patient while they are in an acute rehabilitation unit, but they are encouraged to participate during treatments with a member of the therapies team. This allows a support person to understand and be aware of the different points of assistance a patient may need as they transition back to home life and beyond.