The Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Unit at Jefferson Memorial Hospital is a 20-bed nursing unit located on the Second Floor of the hospital. The unit is specially designed to offer a structured program of services to individuals who no longer require acute care hospitalization, but can benefit from rehabilitative and skilled nursing services before returning home.

The environment of the Skilled Nursing and Rehab Unit offers residents a caring, home-like atmosphere. Each room is comfortably decorated and designed to be handicapped-accessible to accommodate patients with all types of disabilities. Areas are provided within the unit for individualized instruction, treatment and social activities.

Services…
The focus of Jefferson Memorial Hospital's Skilled Nursing and Rehab Unit is on rehabilitative and restorative care, maximizing the patient's abilities with activities of daily living, mobility, self-medications and self-care to achieve or maintain his/her highest practicable level of well-being. Family, friends and clergy are encouraged to visit as they play a key role in the rehabilitation process.

Supported by the full diagnostic and therapeutic services of the hospital, the Skilled Nursing and Rehab Unit is staffed with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nursig assistants who work with the physicians, pharmacists, rehabilitative therapists (physical, occupational, speech), dietitians, activities director and social workers to offer each patient a comprehensive program tailored to meet his/her individual needs.

Skilled Nursing and Rehab Services Include:

• 24-hour nursing care
• Rehabilitation therapy (occupational, physical, speech)
• Laboratory services
• Nutritional meals
• Patient education
• Pharmacy services
• Radiology services
• Recreational services
• Social services
• Short term ventilator management
• Family teaching for ultimate home management
• Closed wound mangement

The members of the Skilled Nursing and Rehab Unit's interdisciplinary team work together with the attending physician to develop a plan of care for each patient admitted to the unit. In addition, a consultant medical director oversees the patient care on the unit.

• Nursing: Skilled nurses provide services that are individualized to meet the special needs of each patient. Nurses provide services such as health education, intravenous infusion therapy, wound care/dressings, catheter care, medication injections, drawing blood for laboratory tests and pain management.

• Physical therapy: Rehabilitative techniques may include gait training, evaluation for equipment, pain control, home exercise programs, muscle strengthening or instruction in the use of prosthetic devices.

• Speech Therapy: Specific Treatment programs to assist the patient who has a communication problem are provided. The speech therapist also offers specialized training for patients who have problems swallowing.

• Occupational Therapy: Rehabilitative techniques are used to increase the patient's ability to carry out normal, day-to-day activities such as feeding, dressing, grooming and bathing themselves, as well as performing household tasks. Occupational therapists also construct adaptive equipment and instruct in energy conservation and work simplification techniques.

• Medical Social Services: Social workers assist patients and families when social, emotional or financial factors interfere with treatment or health maintenance or inhibit the patient in coping with disease-induced limitations.

Admission Criteria…

The Skilled Nursing ad Rehab Unit at Jefferson Memorial Hospital is designed for patients who have been hospitalized for a minimum of three days for an acute illness or surgery. Generally, individuals must be in need of short-term, skilled medical and nursing care on a daily basis. Advance screening is required to determine the appropriateness of each admission.

Patients must require…

• Direct Rehabilitation Services
• Direct Skilled Nursing Services

Services are available regardless of race, religious preference, sex, age, disability, color or national origin. Patients need to be cognitive, rehabilitative and willing to work in the program.

For more information contact:

Lisa Avey , RN, Director
lavey@jeffmem.com
or
Jeanne Thomas, RN
jeannet@jeffmem.com

304-728-1737