The patient’s surgeon or personal physician prescribes rehabilitation care. An interdisciplinary team of rehabilitation specialists plans and coordinates an individualized rehabilitation program for each patient. The team is led by a physiatrist, a physician that specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and includes therapeutic specialists that work with the patient during their rehabilitation program.

The treatment program is geared to meet the individual needs, goals, abilities and lifestyle of each patient. The rehabilitation team meets frequently to adjust each patient’s plan of care based on his or her personal progress. A case manager is a member of the rehab team that is the liaison between the patient, the rehabilitation team and the patient’s family.

Patients remain in the inpatient rehabilitation unit as along as close support of the hospital setting is required. A patient may stay on the unit for a few days or may require therapy for an extended period.
Families are encouraged to become involved and knowledgeable about the patient’s care plan so they understand the challenges and are able to assist the patient in continued treatment at home.

COORDINATION OF CARE
The rehabilitation team recognizes that the patient’s primary care physician is responsible for his or her overall medical care. The team is in constant contact with the patient’s physician providing reports and updates that enable him or her to follow the progress that the patient has made.

THERAPY SESSIONS
The Heritage Valley inpatient rehabilitation unit offers physical, occupational and speech therapy 7 days per week. Patients will receive therapeutic services 3 hours each day depending on his or her medical condition. The amount of time in therapy is usually dispersed between morning and afternoon sessions. While undergoing care on the inpatient rehabilitation unit, patients can expect to have an increase in the intensity of their therapy.

VISITATION POLICY
Visiting hours are daily, 12:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No more than two visitors per patient are recommended at any given time. Children age 12 and under may visit for short periods with permission from the nurse. Each patient should designate one family member to communicate with the Rehab staff and physician.

Patients will spend a large part of their day in the gym. Social visits should not interfere with therapy sessions. During the patient’s stay, the staff will recommend that family members attend some of the gym sessions in order to assist with a safe transition from the unit to home. There can be no more than 2 adult visitors in the gym for safety and privacy issues. During periods of high census the staff may have to refrain from gym visitation to insure patient safety.

PERSONAL ATTIRE
During a stay on the rehabilitation unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley or Heritage Valley Beaver, the staff encourages all patients to dress in their normal, everyday attire. Part of the therapy is assisting the patient in upper and lower body dressing skills. Additionally, the staff has found that if patients dress in their normal attire it helps promote wellness and encourages a rehabilitative mindset.

FOOD AND BEVERAGES
The rehabilitation units offer a variety of menu options through Heritage Valley’s “Room Service” meal plans. Most patients are pleased with the varied selections. However, family members may bring in special food during the patient’s stay as long as it is within the dietary guidelines established by the physician. Patients and their families should check with the rehabilitation nurse to determine what items are acceptable. Outside food and beverages will be labeled with the patient’s name and stored in the gym refrigerator, easily retrievable by family or a nurse at the patient’s request.