Questions to Ask Before Admission
At Northridge Hospital, every patient and their family/care partner are an integral part of our treatment team and are involved in developing your plan of care. Every patient is different and progresses at a different pace, depending on many different factors.
We encourage you to ask questions throughout your stay, so we can better prepare you for discharge home. We have a variety of materials available to educate you about rehabilitation and your diagnosis.
How do we know if insurance will pay for services?
You can check with your insurance company to find out what benefits you have by calling the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Rehabilitation services need to be pre-approved prior to one’s admission and then continued stay approvals will need to be obtained. The rehabilitation program manager is responsible for obtaining these approvals; your rehabilitation social worker can keep you updated on approval status. You can also talk with someone from the hospital Financial Counseling department for further clarification on your financial responsibility.
What is acute inpatient medical rehabilitation?
Acute inpatient medical rehabilitation aims to help reduce the effects of problems you may experience after an illness or injury. The program includes intensive nursing and therapy in an inpatient setting. The goal is to help you live as independently as possible.
The rehabilitation treatment program is tailored to your specific medical conditions and rehabilitation needs. You and your family/care partners are a key to your success. Your effort, positive attitude and motivation lead to the best outcome. The support of your family/care partners is also a key.
Patients with many diagnoses can benefit from acute rehabilitation. Diagnoses include:
- Amputation
- Arthritis
- Brain Injury
- Burn Management
- Multiple Trauma
- Neurological Disorders (i.e. Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease)
- Oncology
- Orthopedics (Fractures, Joint replacement)
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
What are reasonable expectations of my rehabilitation stay?
The rehabilitation team provides care, training and education to you, your family and other identified care partners. Included is education and training on your rehabilitation program, medication regimen, daily living tasks, mobility, selecting equipment that will be needed, evaluating your home for accessibility and exploring the need for attendant care, if additional assistance is required after discharge. We will also assist you with referrals to other agencies, if needed, such as home health, outpatient therapy and community resources.
As needed the treatment team consists of:
- Physiatrist, a doctor who is Board Certified in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Dietician
- Occupational Therapist
- Physical Therapist
- Psychologist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Registered Rehabilitation Nurse
- Social Worker
- Speech Therapist
- Therapeutic Recreational Specialist
What should I bring to the hospital?
Clothing & Laundry Needs: Patients wear comfortable, casual clothing to therapy sessions. It is suggested that patients wear elasticized pull-on pants, loose fitting shirt or tops (either pull-on or button), and tennis shoes with ties or Velcro closures. If another type of shoe is needed, your therapist will tell you.
A minimum of four changes of clothing is recommended, more in cases of bowel or bladder problems. Please label or mark all clothing. It is expected that family is responsible for laundering of patient’s clothing every three to four days (less frequently if more changes of clothes are provided). As patients become more independent, laundering of their own clothing may be done in conjunction with the Occupational Therapist in the OT clinic.
Hygiene & Miscellaneous:
- Toothbrush or denture brush with paste
- Comb & brush
- Socks & underwear if needed
- Makeup if desired
- Razor (electric preferred)
- Deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream & other grooming items
- Glasses & case
- Dentures
- Hearing aid & batteries
- Radio headset or small portable radio for leisure time
- List of medications taken prior to hospitalization
- Gloves (if using a wheelchair for mobility)
What do I look for after a minor concussion?
A concussion is often described as a mild head injury that affects the normal function of the brain. It renders the person to temporarily experience some uncomfortable feelings of dizziness, nausea and even unconsciousness. As a concussion may differ from a minor to a more serious one, it is important to know the symptoms in a person who may be suffering from a minor concussion to assess the extent of injury, so proper medical care can be provided immediately. Learn more about concussions.
