Subacute Care Unit
The Subacute Care Unit at Northwest Hospital bridges the gap between hospital and home by providing skilled nursing and therapy services for patients recovering from stroke, cardiac and respiratory illness, orthopedic surgery and other medical conditions.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services consistently rate Northwest Hospital’s Subacute Care Unit as a five-star, top-ranked program. Strategically located within a hospital setting, the 17-private-bed unit provides short-term medical and rehabilitation services. Qualified medical staff members provide each patient with the best possible, evidence-based care so that patients can better focus on their recovery. Convenient access to acute hospital services when needed, including diagnostic testing, CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and basic medical procedures, make patient stays as efficient as possible.
Your Care Team
Our talented team of nursing and medical professionals works together to provide each patient with individualized, expert care. While you are on the Subacute Care Unit, your service team will meet frequently to discuss your care, progress, discharge planning and follow-up services.
Not only will you be cared for by a licensed nursing staff, you will also benefit from the care of the diverse, dedicated medical professionals at Northwest Hospital. These professionals include:
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Laboratory technicians and specialists who interpret lab results
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Pharmacists
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Radiologists and diagnostic imaging technicians
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Specialist physicians, including cardiologists, surgeons, podiatrists and many others
Your Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is provided on the Subacute Care Unit seven days a week, 365 days a year. (Rehabilitation services are offered to patients up to 7 days a week based on need.) Our rehabilitation team consists of highly trained occupational, physical and recreational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. These therapists cooperate with doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, dietitians and other health care professionals to ensure each patient has the best outcome possible. Together, the professionals on the Subacute Care Unit work to help patients achieve their highest level of independence. Participation in unit recreational activities that provide comfort and stimulate self-esteem, creativity and emotional independence is encouraged.
Depending on a patient’s functional deficits, limitations and individualized point of care health, he or she may require one or all of the forms of rehabilitation offered on the Subacute Care Unit:
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps patients restore and maintain their maximum functional mobility. Therapists specialize in improving our patients’ quality of life through prescribed exercises and patient and family education. Our direct hands-on patient care also focuses on improving our patients’ functional mobility, balance and strength.
Occupational Therapy
Patients who need assistance with increasing their independence in order to achieve and maintain independent and satisfying lives will receive occupational therapy. Therapists help patients to re-learn daily activities, which may include bathing, dressing, grooming and toileting. Patients will also re-learn tasks such as home management skills that include but are not limited to cooking, money and medication management.
Speech-Language Pathology
Patients who need skilled treatment for cognition, communication and swallowing disorders will be treated by our speech language pathologists to assist with regaining their skills.
Recreational Therapy
Recreational therapists help patients attain healthy leisure lifestyles to meet their physical, cultural, social, cognitive, emotional and creative needs.
Going Home
The Subacute Care Unit provides short-term care, meaning that patients go home to their permanent living arrangements once their treatment goals are met. Social workers assist with discharge planning and follow-up services. These social workers also help patients receive the level of benefit coverage they are entitled to and connect with any community resources they might need after leaving Northwest Hospital.