After a long hospital stay, you or a loved one might require support to ease back into everyday life. The extent of the incident that led to the hospitalization determines if the treatment received is just the starting point for a complete recovery. About 20% of patients will require additional care before heading home.

Post-hospital recovery may include an inpatient rehabilitation program, skilled or subacute rehab, assisted living, etc., designed to help you regain physical function and independence. Subacute or skilled rehab usually follows a hospital stay (aka acute care) and helps patients recover from serious cardiac episodes or traumatic injuries. Discharged patients can be admitted to rehab immediately or within 30 days of their hospital stays.

At a subacute or skilled rehabilitation center, you can benefit from personalized, multidisciplinary rehab in a highly specialized setting. A dedicated team is available to address any physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, or vocational challenges that may arise. The goal of these rehabilitation services post-hospitalization is to assist you in returning to both home life and/or work.

Finding the Right Subacute Rehabilitation Program

A general hospital setting may not be the best place to receive the rehabilitation a patient needs. Consider this scenario: While a hospital excels in delivering top-notch acute care during a cardiac health crisis, it may not be the optimal setting for cardiac rehabilitation. Instead, a skilled nursing facility would be better equipped to offer the specialized cardiac care necessary for a successful post-hospital recovery.

At a subacute rehab center or skilled nursing facility, doctors, nurses, care providers, and therapists all work together to maximize your recovery — often at a much lower cost. However, the quality of subacute or skilled rehabilitation centers and facilities varies. Prior to making a choice, take into account the characteristics that hold the most significance during the recovery phase, including:

1. The Facility’s Experience

The specialized care that a rehab facility can provide you or your loved one is the main reason to enroll in a skilled recovery program. Ensure the chosen facility has experience treating the specific health concern and can produce the data demonstrating the quality of its care.

2. Skilled Nurse Availability 

Care providers and nurses do not share the same responsibilities throughout the inpatient rehabilitation process. Skilled nursing involves more than just assistance with daily activities and mobility.

In a skilled or subacute rehabilitation facility, nurses will attend to tasks such as wound cleaning, monitoring tube feedings, and keeping track of health statuses. To guarantee adequate care, it is advisable to choose a facility with a sufficient number of skilled nurses.

3. Multidisciplinary Specialists and Services

The more disciplines a facility provides, the greater the chances of a successful and speedy post-hospital recovery. For example, after a cardiac episode, a physical and occupational therapist can work with you to design an exercise program for cardiovascular endurance, a dietician can recommend the best heart-healthy nutrition plan, and a therapist can help you reduce your episode-induced stress.

4. The Level of Program Customization

Having a well-rounded team of skilled nurses, therapists, and health specialists is vital to any skilled or subacute recovery program (cardiac or otherwise).

So now you know the importance of choosing a skilled rehab facility that specializes in comprehensive, patient-centered care. Marquis Health Consulting Services has centers that can meet your needs, and we have a track record of various specialized care. Get in touch with us to discover how our subacute rehabilitation services can facilitate the journey for you or a loved one to return home.