Physical Rehabilitation Inpatient Services
Medical Rehabilitation at Meadville Medical Center (MMC)
Rehabilitation benefits people of all ages with temporary or permanent
functional disabilities, from the young adult with multiple traumas to
the elderly person with a broken hip. For all patients, the rehabilitation
team's goal remains the same: Restoring the patient's physical
independence.
Medical rehabilitation may help in cases of a stroke, amputation, arthritis,
joint replacement, major multiple trauma, neurological disorders, certain
burns, spinal cord and orthopedic injuries. The Medical Rehabilitation
Unit at Meadville Medical Center (MMC) provides comprehensive care and
promotes the restoration of health for patients coping with a disabling
disease or trauma.
By focusing on the whole person—physically, mentally and socially—the
rehabilitation team helps the patient find new ways to accomplish the
tasks of daily living. Regaining confidence through re-mastering motor
and social skills, the rehabilitation patient can once again enjoy a whole life.
About Our Meadville Rehabilitation Facility
Medical rehabilitation is available in our region at the Inpatient Rehabilitation
Unit of Meadville Medical Center. This unit delivers services for a diverse
range of disabling injuries and illnesses. An 11-bed unit is located at
the Grove Street facility of Meadville Medical Center. The unit is staffed
by the rehabilitation team who works together with the patient and family
to coordinate a care plan. The full resources and medical / surgical staff
of Meadville Medical Center are available, as needed, to all patients
on the Rehabilitation Unit.
The Rehabilitation Team
When illness or injury strikes, devastating changes occur in lifestyle.
The Medical Rehabilitation Team's focus is to restore that lifestyle.
The Rehabilitation Team is made up of a group of physicians and specialists
who develop a therapeutic program for the individual patient.
The team includes:
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Medical Director – The medical director, a physician with specialized training in
physical medicine and rehabilitation, directs the rehabilitation services.
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Personal Physician – The patient's personal physician addresses the medical needs
of the patient, working closely with the medical director.
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Physical Therapist – A physical therapist identifies functional disabilities resulting
from illness or injury. Each individual works with the therapist to perform
an exercise program designed to improve strength, stamina, and muscle
function. The most current and continually advancing therapeutic approaches
and specialized equipment are used by physical therapy. The goal is to
restore those abilities, such as walking, which previously were taken
for granted.
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Occupational Therapist – An occupational therapist focuses evaluation and treatment on
the living skills that are required for each individual to function as
independently as possible in his / her unique home environment. The occupational
therapist works with the patient on daily activities such as dressing,
toileting, grooming, and meal preparation. These activities provide the
opportunity to work on mobility, strengthening and problem solving to
enhance the patient's overall independence.
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Speech Pathologist – A speech pathologist works with the patient to develop swallowing,
speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. The speech pathologist
can teach the patient to use special communication devices when speech
is not possible.
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Rehabilitation Nurse – The rehabilitation nurse supervises the 24-hour care of the patient.
The nurse also reinforces the instructions of other team members and provides
educational instruction on topics such as medication and bowel / bladder training.
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Nutritional Therapist – A registered dietitian assesses the patient's nutritional
status upon admission. The dietitian works with team members to develop
a meal plan best suited to the patient's medical and functional needs.
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Social Service – Social Service acts as a central information and referral source
beginning on the day of admission. They can arrange for financial assistance,
Meals on Wheels, medical supplies and / or home equipment, information
regarding advance directives, and referrals to other community services.
Admission Process
A patient is referred to the Rehabilitation Unit by his / her attending
physician. If the attending physician has been granted privileges at Meadville
Medical Center, a patient admitted to the Rehabilitation Unit may choose
to continue under the personal physician's care. In other cases, a
patient may have a physician with privileges at MMC assigned.
Family Involvement & Visiting Hours
Family and friends are important members of the Rehabilitation Team. Family
conferences are held to encourage participation in the treatment plan
as well as therapies as the patient develops new skills. Visiting hours
are from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 11:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Special visiting times are
arranged as needed.
Typical Day on the Rehabilitation Unit: What to Expect
You will be awakened at about 6:00 a.m. by the nursing staff for morning
grooming. This includes washing face and hands, combing your hair, and
brushing your teeth. Once completed, you will be allowed to retire to
your bed again until Occupational Therapy arrives in the morning. Occupational
Therapy will arrive before breakfast to assist you with getting dressed.
You are asked to bring comfortable clothing—what you would wear
at home. It is important that you are comfortable for therapies and able
to move freely. We also encourage you to bring your own toiletries.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Rehabilitation Unit are served in the
central dining room of the department. Your family members or guests are
welcome to join you during meal times. After breakfast, you will be taken
to the first floor area for about 1.5 hours of therapy before lunch. Once
lunch is over, a rest period is available before receiving therapy again
in the afternoon. Following the dinner meal, the staff will assist you
with a shower and prepare you for bed. After your day of therapy is complete,
there is adequate time for visiting with family and friends.
General Information about the Rehabilitation Department
All services offered by Meadville Medical Center are available to you while
you are a patient in the Rehabilitation Unit. Some studies ordered by
your physician may need to be done at the Liberty Street facility. If
this is necessary, you will be transported to Liberty Street by ambulance.
Your attending physician will continue to direct your care after you transfer
to the Rehabilitation Unit. The Medical Director has special training
in physical medicine and rehabilitation and he will coordinate with the
multidisciplinary team for a plan of care that will meet your needs. When/if
there is a change in your medical condition during Rehab, every effort
will be made to contact your family regarding this change.
Your insurance company guidelines will be followed for admission and continued
care in the Rehab Unit. It is imperative that we have your correct insurance
identification or policy numbers to protect you from any penalty that
might be imposed by the insurance company.
Contact the MMC Physical Rehabilitation Program
For additional information, contact the Medical Rehabilitation Unit at
(814) 333-5320. Our fax number is (814) 333-5324. Tanya Bish, manager
of rehabilitative services can be reached by calling (814) 333-5961. The
medical director is Kenneth Challener, MD.