General Information for Patients and Caregivers

Patient Clothing Needs
Comfortable, casual clothing is suggested to allow for easy movement for therapy activities. Since patients are out of their rooms most of the day, hospital gowns are not worn. Sweaters or jackets are recommended for outside activities. Patients also need to have undergarments, sleep clothes and toiletry items with them in the hospital.

Patient Meals
To promote independence and interaction with other patients and staff, breakfast, and lunch meals are served in the dining room. Meals can be served bedside if there is a medical restriction. For patient protection, food must conform to his or her prescribed diet.  Foods from home are not recommended.

Patient and Family Orientation
We want every patient and family member to feel comfortable in our rehabilitation hospital.  It is important that you know what to expect from our staff and from the rehabilitation process.  The admission liaison or social worker will meet with you to answer your questions and to orient you.  Additionally, a family education class is offered weekly for some patients. Family members should attend one during the first two weeks of admission.

Family Involvement and Training
A conference is held during the patient’s stay to discuss expected outcomes of rehab and specific goals.  Additional conferences may be scheduled as needed to review the patient’s progress in meeting goals and to discuss discharge plans. The social worker/case manager will schedule times for the family to observe the patient going through the rehabilitation program. Education is scheduled for the caregiver to learn the skills and strategies necessary for providing care at home.  The training will involve working with nurses and therapists to learn transfer and self-care skills. These experiences give family members opportunities to see how well the patient is progressing in the program and allows therapists to give the family insight into the patient’s diagnosis.

Visitors
Family and friends are an important part of an individual’s recovery.  As a patient centered facility, we are committed to ensuring that our patients receive holistic care in a patient and family friendly environment.  We encourage general visitation throughout your inpatient stay except during times when visitors may be limited due to your treatment plan and therapy needs.  One support/family member identified by the patient may stay overnight during your hospitalization. Visitor check-in is available at the Information Desk  7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. on the ground floor of the Jefferson Building (hospital Main Entrance).  Visitors should obtain a visitor’s pass from the Information Desk and check in at the rehab nurse’s station before proceeding to the patient’s room.  Exceptions to the visitation guidelines may be made based on your treatment needs or by the nurse manager.

Passes
To assess a patient’s abilities to return to an independent lifestyle, patients may be scheduled for therapeutic passes away from the hospital.  Passes are arranged through your case manager/social worker upon recommendation of the treatment team and approval by your physician.  In most cases approval must be granted by your insurance carrier.

Smoke Free Environment
The Rehabilitation Hospital is a non-smoking facility. Patients are not allowed to smoke anywhere on the campus.

Flip through our complete family guide below for additional information.