SubAcute Rehabilitation

The SubAcute Rehab Program at Clark Memorial Hospital is designed for patients who require inpatient medical and nursing care and an interdisciplinary rehabilitation program before returning home. It is well suited for individuals who may not be medically able to participate in full-day intensive therapy.

Most participants in the program stay an average of 7 - 14 days, and are recovering from an orthopedic surgery, a stroke, or an extended hospitalization that has left them in a weakened state. Patients typically are admitted after a hospital stay once their condition has stabilized.

Generally, a candidate for the program is one who is medically stable, shows good motivation, and shows reasonable potential to achieve his/her rehabilitation goals in a relatively short time.

The SubAcute Team

Each patient retains contact with his/her admitting physician. Additionally, the unit has a medical director, Dr. Rodney Chou, a rehabilitation medicine specialist. Together with the family, professionals in the field of rehabilitation nursing, social services, and physical, occupational and speech therapies, work with the patient toward their best outcome.

Patients also have access to other areas of expertise within the hospital, including the lab, radiology, pharmacy, clinical nutrition, and pastoral care.

The treatment team's goals may include self-care skills such as bathing and dressing, walking, stair climbing, transfers (getting in and out of bed, chair, and toilet) and regaining strength and endurance. Patient education is always a priority.

In addition to rehabilitation, the subacute unit also can provide IV (intravenous) medicine regimens that cannot be provided at home. Additionally, it can provide inpatient end-of-life care in association with Hospice.