Understanding Levels of Care

Rehabilitation Hospital

Hospital-level rehabilitation (also known as acute rehabilitation) is the most comprehensive level of care. To be certified as a rehabilitation hospital, a facility must meet Medicare criteria related to physician, nursing and therapy services. These include:

• On-site physicians who are able to see patients frequently, including daily if necessary
• Intensive therapy services, averaging three hours per day
• Specialized nursing and respiratory therapy capabilities
• Clinical resources such as on-site pharmacy and radiology (x-ray)

Length of stay is generally one to four weeks. RHCI is an acute rehabilitation hospital with a 13-day average length of stay.

Long Term Rehabilitation

Long term rehabilitation care may be provided in long term, acute care (LTAC) hospitals with specialty programs such as ventilator care. Length of stay is generally measured in months.

Skilled Nursing Facility

Sub-acute rehabilitation care is generally provided in a specialty unit located within a skilled nursing facility (nursing home) or a designated unit within an acute care hospital. Usually there is limited physician involvement and patients receive one hour of therapy a day.

Factors to consider when choosing the level of care that is right for you or a loved one:

• The medical and rehabilitation needs of the patient
• The patient's potential for regaining function and independence
• The patient's ability to participate in a rehabilitation program
• The availability of family or community support to assist the patient during rehabilitation and following discharge
• Environment of care at the facility:  is it suited to the patient's needs, goals and age

Outpatient Rehabilitation Care

Rehabilitation services can also be provided on an outpatient basis (usually in a hospital-based facility or a free standing outpatient center) and in the home through a home care agency. RHCI has 5 outpatient rehabilitation centers conveniently located throughout Cape Cod.