Acute Care Rehabilitation Services

Acute Care Rehabilitation Services

Acute care rehabilitation at Brown University Health is provided in a hospital setting and provides patients with rehabilitation that might include physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech language therapy. Therapy is individualized to the patient’s condition or injury, degree of impairment, age, general health, and motivation. 

We utilize a multidisciplinary approach, with care teams that could include physicians, nurses, social workers, nutritionists and case managers. Patients who experience functional impairment or physical deconditioning while hospitalized for any reason may require acute care rehabilitation before leaving the hospital. 

Conditions that may require acute care rehabilitation include:

• Brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Stroke
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Cardiac conditions
• Orthopedic conditions
• Burn injuries
• Recovery from surgery
• Recovery from medical illness

In some cases, patients may have multiple medical problems or impairments that require acute care rehabilitation.

Services and Treatment Goals

Services are provided in the patient’s room to restore strength and function before the patient is discharged.

Treatment goals include:

• Improving physical and cognitive function
• Preventing further impairment
• Restoring mobility, balance and strength
• Fostering independence in daily activities

At Rhode Island Hospital, the therapy team is also involved with multiple centers of excellence, including the Comprehensive Stroke Center, Burn Center, and Norman Prince Spine Institute. At The Miriam Hospital, the therapy team is an integral part of the Total Joint Center, providing therapy after a joint replacement. The Miriam Hospital and Newport Hospital both provide interdisciplinary care to their Primary Stroke Centers. At Hasbro Children’s, pediatric therapists assist in promoting a child’s highest level of function while in the hospital.

Therapists also assist with determining the most appropriate discharge plan and equipment needs.