The Subacute Rehabilitation Center at Palmetto Health Baptist Columbia provides a stable and therapeutic environment in which patients can recover over a short-term period. Admissions to the unit include patients who demonstrate a high rehabilitation potential and can usually be discharged within 14 days.
The majority of admissions are orthopaedic patients, including those recovering from joint replacement surgery. Neurological diagnoses are the second highest percentage of the center's population, while the remainder are treated for a variety of needs including cardiac rehabilitation and wound care.
The proximity of the Subacute Rehabilitation Center to our acute-care setting offers physicians a greater comfort level when transferring patients to the subacute setting. There, active rehabilitation may begin to help speed the patient's recovery. The Subacute Rehabilitation Center also allows for immediate transfer back to the hospital's acute-care setting if the situation is warranted.
Goals Of The Center
The goal of the staff of the 22-bed Subacute Rehabilitation Center is to provide active treatment services within a structured, therapeutic environment. These services, which include daily nursing care and rehabilitative therapy, are intended to facilitate the recovery of each of the center's medically stable patients. The Subacute Rehabilitation Center can also be utilized as a step-down facility for patients being discharged from the acute-care setting at Palmetto Health Baptist Columbia and other acute-care hospitals prior to discharge.
Treatment Plan
An individual treatment plan is developed by the patient's physician and administered in conjunction with the staff of the Subacute Rehabilitation Center. The center's medical director is available to assume primary care responsibility for referred patients when requested. Referring physicians who already have an established, ongoing relationship with the patient may continue to manage their patients on the Subacute Rehabilitation Center.
THERAPY ROOM - In addition to a competent and enthusiastic nursing staff, the center features physical and occupational therapists experienced in this phase of rehabilitation. Two highly skilled team leaders guide patients through a variety of therapies designed to restore the patient's independence as quickly as possible. Patients usually receive therapy twice daily, but the regimen is frequently modified based on individual needs. Also, the satellite therapy location makes it convenient for patients to walk to daily therapy with minimal assistance.
DAY ROOM - The center offers a bright, spacious activities area staffed by a certified therapeutic recreation specialist. The activities therapist works with individuals and groups in an effort to further their recovery through fun and stimulating activities. These activities are planned by the month and include crafts and group exercise.
PATIENT ROOMS - Each of the 22 private patient rooms are designed for maximum comfort for patients and their families. In addition, many physicians have their orthopaedic patients supplement the physical therapy they receive on the unit by using continuous passive motion equipment while resting. This equipment increases flexibility by slowly extending the muscles affected by surgery.
DINING ROOM - A large, cheery dining room overlooking downtown Columbia is also a feature of the center. Here patients can eat their meals while enjoying the company of other patients and their families. To foster independence, patients are encouraged to take their meals in the dining room.
Admission & Insurance Information
Patients in the Subacute Rehabilitation Center must be medically stable, require daily therapy and/or skilled nursing care and have firm discharge plans.
Medicare patients must precede their stay at the Subacute Rehabilitation Center with at least four inpatient days in the hospital. Other payors are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Information
Physicians interested in referring patients to the Subacute Rehabilitation Center should contact the hospital's discharge planning personnel or call the center directly at (803) 296-5963.
