Preparing for Admision FAQs
At RHCI, we follow a patient-centered philosophy of care. You and your family are important members of your rehabilitation team. We encourage your active participation in all phases of the rehabilitation process, and we will do everything we can to meet your needs during your stay with us.
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions about admission to RHCI, choose from the following categories:
- The Referral Process
- Clinical Services
- Personal Care and Accommodations
- Meals
- Discharge Planning
- General Information (visiting hours, parking, smoking policy, etc.)
- The Referral Process
- How does the referral process work?
- What is the difference between RHCI and a nursing home (or skilled nursing facility, extended care facility or transitional care unit)?
- Can RHCI meet my medical needs if I am discharged from the acute care hospital soon after my surgery or other treatment?
- How will I get to RHCI from the hospital?
- Will my insurance cover rehabilitation costs?
- Clinical Services
- Will my primary care physician care for me at RHCI?
- Will my primary care physician be informed of my progress?
- Who will my RHCI doctor be?
- What kind of therapy will I have?
- How often will I receive therapy?
- Who will coordinate my care at RHCI?
- What about my emotional needs?
- What about my spiritual needs?
- Personal Care and Accommodations
- Meals
- Discharge Planning
- General Information
Q. How does the referral process work?
A. A discharge planner from the acute care hospital will talk with you about your post-hospitalization plans and notify RHCI if you are a candidate for admission here. A referral nurse from RHCI will visit you to discuss your rehabilitation needs and answer your questions about the programs and services at RHCI. If you choose to come to RHCI, we will work with the discharge planner and your insurance carrier to make the necessary arrangements for your admission to RHCI.
Q. What is the difference between RHCI and a nursing home (or skilled nursing facility, extended care facility or transitional care unit)?
A. There are many differences, but the most important is that RHCI is a hospital, with full-time physicians, nurses, therapists and many other health care professionals who specialize in rehabilitation care. Full-time, board-certified rehabilitation physicians are based at RHCI, enabling them to direct their patients' care conveniently and to respond promptly to changes in patients' status. A rehabilitation physician will meet with you and your rehabilitation team to develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs and goals. In addition to caring for your medical needs, RHCI's rehabilitation nurses collaborate with other members of your team to promote recovery and to provide the education and training important to your rehabilitation.
As a hospital, RHCI offers many sophisticated clinical resources that enable our staff to practice a high standard of medical rehabilitation care. These include: cardiac monitoring; video fluoroscopy and other radiology services; EMG and nerve conduction lab; on-site dialysis; pharmacy; audiology suite, and other resources.
RHCI's full array of therapy resources include spacious gyms equipped with advanced exercise technologies; therapeutic pool; functional living apartment; orthotics and prosthetics clinics; therapeutic walkway and gardens; assistive technologies clinic; and even a putting green.
Q. Can RHCI meet my medical needs if I am discharged from the acute care hospital soon after my surgery or other treatment?
A. Yes. Our medical and nursing expertise enables RHCI to provide high quality medical and rehabilitation care for our patients with recent surgeries, complex medical conditions and catastrophic injuries.
Q. How will I get to RHCI from the hospital?
A. The hospital discharge planner will arrange transportation for you to RHCI, usually by ambulance.
Q. Will my insurance cover rehabilitation costs?
A. Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance covers rehabilitation costs. Managed care plans require pre-certification prior to admission. If you have questions about your coverage, our Admissions Representative (508-833-4200) can assist you.
RHCI is a network provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (including First Seniority ) and Tufts Health Plan (including Secure Horizons ). RHCI also accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most other insurances.
Clinical Services
Q. Will my physician care for me at RHCI?
A. To ensure continuity of care throughout your rehabilitation program, one of RHCI's physicians will be your attending doctor during your admission. The RHCI physician will refer you back to your physician when you leave the hospital.
Q. Will my primary physician be informed of my progress?
A. Your RHCI physician will be in contact with your primary care physician or referring specialist as needed to ensure you receive the best medical and rehabilitation care. Your RHCI physician will provide regular updates about your progress, including a full discharge report, to your primary care physician.
Q. Who will my RHCI doctor be?
A. RHCI has full-time physicians who manage the care of our inpatients. These physicians are board-certified specialists in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation or Neurology. They are skilled in the non-surgical management of stroke, arthritis, traumatic injuries, complex medical conditions, and other diseases, conditions and injuries. One of these physicians will direct your care.
Q. What kind of therapy will I have?
A. That depends on your individual needs. Most patients require physical therapy to assist with walking, getting in and out of bed, and other issues of mobility, and occupational therapy to assist with dressing, eating, home-making and other skills important for independence. Many patients also need speech and language therapy to help with swallowing, speaking, reading, writing, cognition and memory.
RHCI's respiratory therapists, therapeutic recreation specialist, and cardiopulmonary exercise specialist are available as needed.
Q. How often will I receive therapy?
A. How often you receive therapy depends on your specific circumstances. In general, patients at RHCI participate in therapy three hours a day, five to seven days a week.
Q. Who will coordinate my care at RHCI?
A. An RHCI Physician will serve as the leader of your rehabilitation team. A Patient Care Coordinator will coordinate all the services you need to ensure you receive them in the most timely, beneficial and cost-effective manner possible.
Q. What about my emotional needs?
A. RHCI's staff understands that all patients benefit from encouragement, compassion and individual attention. Our staff is known for their dedication and caring as well as for their professionalism and skill. The members of your team will work together to ensure that all your needs - physical, emotional, social, vocational, spiritual and leisure - are addressed.
Sometimes patients with traumatic injuries or catastrophic illnesses need additional help adjusting to their new life situation. RHCI's health psychologist and social worker assist patients to make this difficult transition and discover new resources to address current and future needs.
Q. What about my spiritual needs?
A. Protestant and Catholic chaplains are available to visit with you, assist with questions and concerns, and attend to your spiritual needs. We will notify your church or synagogue of your admission if you wish.
Personal Care and Accommodations
Q. What kind of clothing should I bring?
A. Patients at RHCI wear street clothes, not hospital johnnies. Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing, such as sweatpants and sweatshirts, or shorts and T-shirts, allow freedom of movement important for exercise. We recommend sneakers or walking shoes. You will also need pajamas, underwear and socks. We suggest that you identify your clothing and belongings with your name.
Q. Can I bring my personal care appliances?
A. You may bring the following items, which must be checked for safety by our engineering staff: electric razor, hairdryer, clock radio, personal radio/stereo with headphones, and laptop computer. Cell phones and other electrical devices are not allowed due to safety considerations.
Q. Can I have a private room?
A. RHCI has a limited number of private rooms that are available for an additional charge. You will be responsible for this additional charge since insurance usually does not cover the cost of a private room unless it is medically necessary. Most patients find our semi-private rooms to be quite comfortable. They are spacious and each has its own fully accessible bathroom, including shower.
Q. Will I have a telephone and TV in my room?
A. RHCI provides telephones and televisions in patients' rooms without charge. Long-distance telephone calls will be charged to your personal calling card number, or you may call collect.
Q. Who will do my laundry?
A. RHCI does not operate a general laundry on the premises. Please make arrangements to have your laundry done outside the hospital. If this is not feasible, the unit secretary can provide information about other possible arrangements.
Q. Are barber/hairdresser services available?
A. The unit secretary can make an appointment with a hospital-approved barber or hairdresser. You may pay the barber or hairdresser directly for these services.
Meals
Q. How are meals served?
A. Meals are served in the pleasant Inpatient Dining Room. Since socialization is an important aspect of your rehabilitation, we encourage you to eat meals in the dining room where you may also enjoy the camaraderie of other patients.
Q. Will I be able to make my own meal selections?
A. We offer a special menu plan that provides tasty, nutritionally-balanced meals appropriate for your medical condition. Each morning you may select from a menu for the next day's meals.
Q. Can RHCI accommodate special diets?
A. RHCI's dietitian and experienced chefs can develop a meal plan tailored to your medical needs. Our dietary staff will do their best to accommodate other special requests, such as vegetarian dishes.
Q. Can family and visitors join me for meals?
A. Yes. Family and friends may purchase meals and snacks in the RHCI Cafeteria, which is located on the first floor, and join you in the Inpatient Dining Room. Vending machines offering a variety of beverages and snacks operate 24 hours a day.
Discharge Planning
Q. How long will I stay at RHCI?
A. Your length of stay depends on how quickly you progress through your rehabilitation program and how much improvement you demonstrate towards reaching your goals. The decision to conclude inpatient rehabilitation at RHCI will be made by your rehabilitation team in consultation with you, your family and your insurer.
Q. What if I need help when I go home?
A. Many patients require assistance to make the transition from RHCI to home. Your RHCI Patient Care Coordinator will work with you to identify your home care needs. She will make appropriate referrals to arrange the services you need.
Q. Will my family learn how to care for me?
A. Family education is an important part of rehabilitation. We encourage family members to participate in patient care conferences and therapy sessions. Our nurses and therapists will educate family members about how to support and assist you - both during your stay at RHCI and once you have returned home.
Q. Can I continue to have therapy at RHCI once I go home?
A. Yes. RHCI offers comprehensive outpatient services in the hospital's large Outpatient Gym, adjacent to the therapy pool. RHCI also provides outpatient rehabilitation services at satellite facilities located across the Cape. Inpatients who continue outpatient therapy at RHCI or one of its satellites may be assured that our outpatient therapists adhere to the same high standards of care as our inpatient therapists. In addition, should you require rehabilitation physician services, you may continue seeing the same RHCI physician who directed your inpatient care.
Q. I don't live close to RHCI. Can I have outpatient therapy elsewhere?
A. Yes. We will provide a discharge summary of all relevant information to your outpatient provider to facilitate your continued progress.
General Information
Visiting Policy
Your rehabilitation team encourages visitors. Visiting hours are 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Monday - Friday and 11:00 a.m. - 8 p.m. weekends and holidays. Children are welcome with supervision. If special visiting times are necessary, we will work with you to accommodate your family's needs.
Many patients benefit from visiting with their pets. The unit secretary will provide you with immunization and other guidelines if you wish your pet to visit.
Parking at RHCI is free and readily accessible.
Smoking Policy:
To promote the health of patients, visitors and staff, RHCI is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited within the hospital, on surrounding walkways and therapy areas, and on hospital grounds.
Mail Delivery
Mail is delivered daily. Cards may be sent to you at:
Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands
311 Service Rd.
East Sandwich, MA 02537
Cafeteria Hours:
The RHCI Cafeteria is open 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. for beverages and snacks. It serves full, hot meals at the following times:
Breakfast: 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Chaplaincy Services:
RHCI will notify your church or synagogue of your admission if you wish. Protestant and Catholic chaplains are available to visit with you, assist with questions and concerns, and attend to your spiritual needs.
For More Information . . .
Pre-admission Tours: 833-4200
Admissions: 833-4200
Patient Care Coordinator: 833-4194
Insurance Information: 833-4194
Main Number: 833-4000
