Hospital stays, planned or unplanned, are never a first choice for a vacation.  Despite our desire to be relaxing on a beach or enjoying the mountains, you or someone you love will unfortunately end up spending time in a hospital.  Once stable, hospital patients frequently say the same thing, I just want to go home. When you are in a hospital, your road home may be direct, or it may include a short detour to a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility.  Safety and function are two key points to consider when choosing the best road home.Acute hospitals have the staff, equipment and expertise to care for unstable patients.  The need for acute hospital care ends once the patient is stable.  With advances in medicine, the amount of time needed to become stable is getting shorter and shorter.  Families are often surprised at how fast their loved one discharges from the hospital.  This is because stable patients are not always safe patients, which is a concern for both patients and families.  If a patient is stable, but not safe to go home, they will most likely need additional time at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility to regain their safety. Physical function is another area needing consideration when deciding if going home is the right choice.  If the patient can independently perform basic activities of daily living, they will most likely go directly home. If they need help with these activities, a quick stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility is key.  Examples of these basic activities are eating, drinking, using the restroom, transferring between positions such as, lying to sitting, sitting to standing, standing to sitting, and walking.  These basic functions can be lost during an extended hospital stay.  This is normal and easily remedied with a quick stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility. If you find yourself in a situation where your safety or function is keeping you from going home, remember that a stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility is exactly what you need.  Your hospital case manager will help you navigate your road home.  I highly recommend having someone tour at least three short-term rehabilitation centers/skilled nursing facilities on your behalf to find the one that fits your unique need. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Troy Hamler, N.H.A. Troy Hamler is the Executive Director for The Center at Northridge and may be reached at 303-280-4444.

What is a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility? It is a short-term rehabilitation facility where stable patients go after a hospital stay. The stay is intended to help people get stronger, practice independence and prepare for returning home.What do I need to bring to a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility?Patients should bring enough comfortable clothing for one week. Please bring shoes that are comfortable and allow for walking if appropriate. Patients should also bring anything that could make their stay here more comfortable: examples: robe, favorite blanket, pajamas, pictures of family, books, puzzles, etc (please do not bring valuables)How often will I see a doctor?This depends on the medical need of the patient and the physician group. Unlike the hospital, you will most likely not see a doctor every day. You will see a Doctor, Physicians Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner within 72 hours of admitting, and as-needed after that initial visit. Doctors are not in the building 24/7. Physician groups have a triage line that nursing can call 24/7 if necessary. The doctors typically do not work for the rehabilitation center. They belong to independent physician groups and manage the medical care of the patients.How much therapy will I receive during my stay?This is different for each patient. The therapy department creates an individualized treatment plan for every patient. Therapy is hard work for patients, and proper rest is equally important. If you would like additional therapy, please discuss this with your therapist. Rehabilitation centers typically offer therapy 7 days per week. Who pays for the stay at a skilled nursing facility?Each patient is ultimately responsible for their stay. Typically, insurance pays for all or most of your stay. Every person has different insurance, so it is up to you to provide your insurance information so the center can determine what they will and wont pay.What happens when my insurance stops paying for my stay? At some point your insurance company will stop paying for your stay. Regular updates are sent to your insurance company and they use that information to determine when they stop paying. When your insurance stops paying for your stay, you will receive as much notice as possible, at a minimum you will receive written notice three days prior to this happening. This will allow for you to finalize other arrangements. Patients either discharge from the rehabilitation facility or they pay privately to continue their short stay.When can I go home?There are four main factors that go into setting an appropriate discharge date. 1. The physician is monitoring your medical condition to make sure you are stable enough to go home. 2. The therapy team is working with you to meet your desired goals and to prepare you for a safe return home. 3. The nursing staff is monitoring and assessing your health and ability to perform daily tasks. 4. Your case manager is working with outside service providers to ensure you have everything you need in place at home for a successful discharge. But ultimately, your stay at a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation facility is a voluntary stay. As such, you are free to go home when you choose.Editors Note: This article was submitted by the Executive Director at The Center at Northridge and may be reached at 303-280-4444

Hospital stays, planned or unplanned, are never a first choice for a vacation.Despite our desire to be relaxing on a beach or enjoying the mountains, you or someone you love will unfortunately end up spending time in a hospital. Once stable, hospital patients frequently say the same thing, I just want to go home. When you are in a hospital, your road home may be direct or it may include a short detour to a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility. Safety and function are two key points to consider when choosing the best road home.Acute hospitals have the staff, equipment and expertise to care for unstable patients. The need for acute hospital care ends once the patient is stable. With advances in medicine, the amount of time needed to become stable is getting shorter and shorter. Families are often surprised at how fast their loved one discharges from the hospital. This is because stable patients are not always safe patients, which is a concern for both patients and families. If a patient is stable, but not safe to go home, they will most likely need additional time at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility to regain their safety.Physical function is another area needing consideration when deciding if going home is the right choice. If the patient can independently perform basic activities of daily living, they will most likely go directly home. If they need help with these activities, a quick stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility is key. Examples of these basic activities are; eating, drinking, using the restroom, transferring between positions such as, lying to sitting, sitting to standing, standing to sitting, and walking. These basic functions can be lost during an extended hospital stay. This is normal and easily remedied with a quick stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility.If you find yourself in a situation where your safety or function is keeping you from going home, remember that a stay at a short-term rehabilitation center/skilled nursing facility is exactly what you need. Your hospital case manager will help you navigate your road home. I highly recommend having someone tour at least three short-term rehabilitation centers/skilled nursing facilities on your behalf to find the one that fits your unique need.This article was submitted by Troy Hamler, N.H.A. Troy Hamler is the Executive Director for The Center at Northridge and may be reached at 303-280-4444.

What is a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility? It is a short-term rehabilitation facility where stable patients go after a hospital stay. The stay is intended to help people get stronger, practice independence and prepare for returning home.What do I need to bring to a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Facility?Patients should bring enough comfortable clothing for one week. Please bring shoes that are comfortable and allow for walking if appropriate. Patients should also bring anything that could make their stay here more comfortable: examples: robe, favorite blanket, pajamas, pictures of family, books, puzzles, etc (please do not bring valuables)How often will I see a doctor?This depends on the medical need of the patient and the physician group. Unlike the hospital, you will most likely not see a doctor every day. You will see a Doctor, Physician's Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner within 72 hours of admitting, and as needed after that initial visit. Doctors are not in the building 24/7. Physician groups have a triage line that nursing can call 24/7 if necessary. The doctors typically do not work for the rehabilitation center. They belong to independent physician groups and manage the medical care of the patients.How much therapy will I receive during my stay?This is different for each patient. The therapy department creates an individualized treatment plan for every patient. Therapy is hard work for patients, and proper rest is equally important. If you would like additional therapy, please discuss this with your therapist. Rehabilitation centers typically offer therapy 7 days per week. Who pays for the stay at a skilled nursing facility?Each patient is ultimately responsible for their stay. Typically, insurance pays for all or most of your stay. Every person has different insurance, so it is up to you to provide your insurance information so the center can determine what they will and won't pay.What happens when my insurance stops paying for my stay? At some point your insurance company will stop paying for your stay. Regular updates are sent to your insurance company, and they use that information to determine when they stop paying. When your insurance stops paying for your stay, you will receive as much notice as possible, at a minimum you will receive written notice three days prior to this happening. This will allow for you to finalize other arrangements. Patients either discharge from the rehabilitation facility or they pay privately to continue their short stay.When can I go home?There are four main factors that go into setting an appropriate discharge date. 1. The physician is monitoring your medical condition to make sure you are stable enough to go home. 2. The therapy team is working with you to meet your desired goals and to prepare you for a safe return home. 3. The nursing staff is monitoring and assessing your health and ability to perform daily tasks. 4. Your case manager is working with outside service providers to ensure you have everything you need in place at home for a successful discharge. But ultimately, your stay at a Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation facility is a voluntary stay. As such, you are free to go home when you choose.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by the Executive Director at The Center at Northridge and may be reached at 303-280-4444