Guide to Inpatient Rehabilitation Services

The mission of the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center includes providing specialized medical and rehabilitative patient care service to older persons and to persons with short-term and long-term disabilities.

Welcome

The staff of Johnston R. Bowman Health Center (JRB) welcomes you to our rehabilitation program and the next phase of your recovery. You will find your stay at JRB to be considerably different from your recent stay in an acute care hospital. The heart of our rehabilitation program is an active schedule of therapy, averaging three hours per day. Our rehabilitation team will partner with you and your family to create an individualized program designed to help restore you to the highest possible level of function in all areas of your life. Your rehabilitation program is one in which you will fully participate. Our goal is to support you throughout your recovery and help you prepare to return to your community.

Admission

Hospital staff usually makes arrangements for admission to JRB after your hospital doctor has referred you. Your medical records will be transferred to JRB and a physician who is a specialist in Rehabilitation Medicine will take charge of your care. All patients are admitted and treated at JRB without regard to gender, race, age, national origin or religious creed.

Orientation

During your first day at JRB, you will be given an orientation overview by one of your team members; this is usually your nurse. We encourage you and your family to participate in setting goals and acquainting yourselves with the daily therapy routine. Please let us know if you have questions. The staff or unit manager will promptly address your needs.

What To Bring

Throughout your rehabilitation program, you will be participating in a variety of activities and therapies. We want you to be as comfortable as possible during your daily routine. Your therapy plan frequently includes practicing to dress in street clothes. Patients are encouraged to wear street clothes while on the unit and during all therapy sessions. We recommend women wear slacks instead of dresses or skirts. You will need the following:

Patient-Family Participation

Following the completion of your initial evaluation, you may schedule a conference with the team through the social worker/discharge planner. At the conference, you can review the results of the evaluation and plan your treatment with the team. You are encouraged to share your personal goals and to work with the team to develop a treatment plan and a projected discharge date. We encourage you to have all persons participate who you feel are key to your recovery.

Daily Schedule

Your schedule will be available daily. Your therapy day will start early, sometimes before breakfast. You will have a break for lunch and then continue your schedule in the afternoon. Upon completion of the day’s activities, you can expect to be tired. In the evenings, you will find time to rest, relax, and visit with your family and friends. Therapies are not scheduled on discharge day to facilitate transition to home.

General Information

The gift shops are located on the 4^th floor of the Atrium building. The gift shops carry magazines, candy, soda pop, greeting cards and a variety of gifts and flowers. JRB is connected to the main part of the Medical Center by a walkway at the 4^th floor level.

Interpreters are available to our patients and their families to ensure that they feel at ease communicating with their health care team. If you or your family require the services of a foreign or sign language interpreter, please call Interpreter Services at (312) 563-2987.

Traductores están disponibles para nuestros pacientes y sus familias para asegurarnos que se sientan cómodos al comunicarse con su grupo de cuidado de salud. Si usted o su familia requiere de los servicios de un traductor de lenguage o de señas, por favor llame al Servicio de Traducción al (312) 563-2987.

Each day you will receive a menu to fill out for the following day. We encourage you to eat with other patients in the central area, and we encourage your family to join you for meals. Guest meal tickets may be purchased through our Information Desk located on the 4^th floor in the Atrium building, for a separate out-of-pocket fee.

Parking is available in the Medical Center parking garage. Valet parking is also available at the main entrance to the Bowman Center.

Rush University Medical Center is a nonsmoking facility. Smoking areas are available adjacent to the facility for family and visitors. Patients may smoke only in designated areas and with a doctor’s order.

To make local calls, dial 9, then dial the number. Long distance calls must be charged to your personal home number or credit card. If you need help making phone calls, your nurse will be glad to assist you. Each room is provided with a color television.

There are some personal items you may wish to bring with you to JRB; however, we urge you to keep all valuables at home. We cannot assume responsibility for loss or theft of such items as jewelry, money, or other personal items.

We encourage your family and friends to visit. JRB visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Please let your family and friends know what your regular therapy schedule is so they can plan their visit when you are available.

Ethics Consultation Service

We believe that ongoing communication between the patient, family and rehabilitation team is very important to your recovery and plans after discharge. A patient-family conference can be arranged if needed to address discharge needs. JRB carries out patient care and business operations in an ethical manner, grounded in the mission and values of the organization. Patients and families have access to the Ethics Consultation Service anytime of the day, any day of the week. This service provides consultation regarding the ethical aspects of decisions.

The Next Step

The rehabilitation team will work with you and your family to develop the best plan to meet your needs after discharge from the rehabilitation center and to ensure that your rehabilitation continues as you move to the next step. Planning for your discharge will begin when you arrive and will continue throughout your stay at JRB. As soon as possible, before your discharge date, recommendations and discharge plans will be finalized by you and your team. Team members will help you and your family with every aspect of discharge planning and through every step of the process.

Getting Your Feedback

We hope your stay at JRB is a pleasant and supportive one. If there is anything we can do to make you comfortable, please do not hesitate to ask. Our number one priority is to offer you total physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual care that will help you overcome the challenges that face you. Please drop your patient satisfaction survey at the desk before you leave to let us know how we did.

About the Rehabilitation Team

The rehabilitation team includes you, your family, and a wide range of professionals who specialize in rehabilitative medicine. Each member of your team is trained to partner with you and your family to further your recovery process. Your care will be coordinated by a physician and discussed frequently by the team at team meetings and family conferences designed to maximize family involvement. Each member of the team is available to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have; please do not hesitate to ask. In addition to you, the complete rehabilitation team includes your:

Family and/or significant other
Doctor
Nurse
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Speech therapist
Recreation therapist
Social worker (clinical resource coordinator)
Dietitian
Psychologist
Chaplain

Doctor

A physician who is a specialist in rehabilitation medicine (physiatrist) will be the doctor in charge of your care while you are at JRB. Your physiatrist will provide medical management, coordinate care with your other physicians, and oversee your rehabilitation program. The physiatrist will meet frequently with you, your therapists, and your nurse to discuss your progress and make recommendations for future treatment.

Nurse

The nursing staff will emphasize education and training to help you become as independent as possible. The nurse will work with you and your family to review self-care activities, treatments, and medications throughout your stay in order to prepare you for discharge.

Physical Therapist

The physical therapist will help you to develop and regain physical strength, endurance, and coordination. Most important, the physical therapist will help you with mobility. You will work with your therapist on a daily basis to become more independent with bed mobility, wheelchair mobility, and walking.

Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapist works to coordinate your physical and mental abilities with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, cooking, bathing, and community skills. Your therapist will teach you special skills and if needed, recommend and help you order special adaptive equipment to allow you to be as independent as possible in your self-care. The therapist will also work with you if you have any problems with sensation, coordination, balance, thinking, or visual perception.

Speech Pathologist

Speech, language, hearing, and swallowing are skills addressed by our speech pathologists. Difficulties in these areas may affect all other areas of your rehabilitation. Through practice, teaching new techniques and strategies, our speech pathologists can help you improve swallowing or communication skills.

Recreation Therapist

Therapeutic recreation staff work with patients to address various quality of life issues, and help patients to get involved in activities that they enjoyed before injury, stroke or other illness. By teaching adaptation techniques, safety, and community reintegration, therapists help patients successfully return to activities that enhance their quality of life. Vocational and driver training services are not available at JRB. If you are in need of these services, a referral will be made for you.

Social Worker

Your social worker (also called your clinical resource coordinator) will act as an information source and help you and your family cope with the recovery process. The social worker can be your liaison with the rehabilitation team, your family, and your insurance carrier. In preparing for discharge, the social worker will help to plan for and arrange the services and/or resource you will need to support your continued progress at home and in the community.

Dietitian

A dietitian is available to evaluate your nutritional needs and will make sure that your diet is right for you throughout your stay. Your nutrition is a very important part of your recovery process.

Psychologist

A psychologist is available for evaluation and to provide counseling to you and your family. Sometimes psychological counseling can be a great help to patients and families as they learn about the injury and how to cope with it.

Chaplain

Chaplains are available to provide you with spiritual support, talk with you about your faith, pray with you and discuss possible ethical concerns. Clergy of most denominations are available for spiritual counseling upon your request. The chaplain is an active member of the team and can work with you throughout your recovery.

Mission