Frequently Asked Questions
When you are in the process of choosing a rehabilitation facility, many questions may arise. Below is a list of commonly asked questions and answers that will help you make this extremely important decision of where to go for your recovery.
How do I choose a rehab facility that will meet my needs?
To choose the best rehabilitation facility for you or your loved one, it is important to know that there are different kinds of rehab facilities to choose from. The terms used to refer to those choices are skilled nursing (or sub-acute rehab) facilities (SNFs), nursing homes, assisted living facilities, long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) and acute rehabilitation hospitals. Although all of these facilities have rehabilitation professionals on staff, only one specializes in rehabilitation-the acute rehabilitation hospital. With the primary focus being rehabilitation, acute rehabilitation hospitals, like Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, provide a level of care that is very different from other facilities that offer rehabilitation services.
Acute Rehabilitation Hospitals provide:
- More intensive therapeutic services
- More physician specialists with expertise in treating patients with disabling injuries/illnesses
- A higher percentage of registered nurses, many with rehabilitation nursing certifications
- The most highly trained therapists
- The most innovative therapeutic programs and equipment
- The most up-to-date technologies and facilities, including both onsite capabilities & state of the art rehab tech modalities
- The most comprehensive onsite services, such as pharmacy, radiology
- Comprehensive patient/family education
When considering your rehabilitation options, the most important question to ask is, “Which level of care best meets the patient’s needs?” For more information, see What to Look for in a Rehabilitation Facility.
How is an acute rehabilitation hospital different from other rehabilitation facilities?
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital is an acute rehabilitation hospital that offers a level of care quite different from other facilities that offer rehabilitation services. That difference is evident in several areas.
Medical Services
As an acute rehabilitation hospital, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has an extensive medical staff trained to provide comprehensive medical management needed to help patients achieve optimal health and independence. Our Medical Staff is comprised of:
- Full-time Internal Medicine, Neurologists and Physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists)
- Full-time Nurse Practitioners, Neuropsychologist and Psychologist
- Numerous consulting physician specialists, such as Nephrologists, Orthopedists, Cardiologist, etc.
- On-site, overnight physician coverage
Because Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has an extensive hospital-based medical staff:
- Our doctors assume total responsibility for patient care 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Each patient is routinely evaluated by an Internal Medicine physician as well as a Physiatrist (specialist in physical medicine and rehabilitation ) Generally, patients are seen six times a week by am member of our medical staff; therefore, potential medical complications are identified quickly so that treatment is provided before those complications develop.
- Additionally, patients with neurologic injuries/illness are seen regularly by a neurologist.
- When needed, other specialized medical care is readily available to provide necessary care.
Therapeutic Services
Acute rehabilitation hospitals provide a higher level of therapeutic services than other rehabilitation facilities. Although the intensity and duration of therapy sessions depend on the patient’s individual needs and capabilities, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital provides each patient with therapeutic services three (3) hours a day over five days in the week. The intensity and availability of therapy provided through acute rehabilitation result in a high level of functional outcomes and discharges to the community. It is a known fact that patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital are three times more likely to go home that hose admitted to a skilled nursing facility.
Nursing Services
As with medical and therapeutic services, acute rehabilitation hospitals provide a distinctly different level of nursing care than other providers. For example, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital:
- A 24-hour team of registered nurses, LPNs and personal care assistants assess and attend to each patient’s needs. They work in partnership under the primary nurse-model, which assures continuity of care.
- Patients receive an average of six hours of nursing care each day (compared to four or less per day per patient at SNFs). The nursing care hour is dependent upon the patient’s individual diagnosis and medical needs. This high level of nursing care leads to early recognition/prevention of medical complications, more out-of-bed hours, and increased opportunities for patient/family education.
- Fifty percent of nursing staff are licensed nurses (compared to thirty-five percent at SNFs). This increased level of RN’s ensures that medically complex patients will be treated safely and efficiently.
- A large number of our staff nurses are certified registered rehabilitation nurses that are trained to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabling injuries or illnesses. These nursing specialists provide a holistic patient care and patient/family education, facilitate carry-over from therapy and reinforce patient goals.
Onsite Capabilities
- Pharmacy
- Laboratory
- Radiology
- Orthotics & Prosthetics
- Telemetry
- Aquatic therapy (pool)
Why should I choose Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital?
Choosing a rehabilitation facility is a lot like choosing a doctor. Sometimes a general practitioner is just fine. Other times you need a specialist.
When you need that specialist, you want someone with an excellent reputation and lots of experience in their chosen field. You want someone who has access to the best technologies and facilities. And, most importantly, you want someone who will use all of his or her expertise to provide the care you need.
In the rehabilitation field, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital is like that physician specialist. As an acute rehabilitation hospital, we specialize in physical rehabilitation. It has been our primary focus for over thirty years.
Our expert staff dedicates all their skills and knowledge to one primary goal… improving each patient’s functional abilities through intensive, individualized medical and therapeutic services. To help patients reach that goal, we provide the most current, effective technologies, equipment, and therapies.
To assist patients in attaining their goals we continue to hold a longstanding partnership with all of Greater Boston’s major healthcare facilities. Through these partnerships, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has an extensive staff, onsite physicians with unmatched expertise in their medical specialties.
When I arrive at Braintree Rehab what can I expect when I am admitted?
You will be assigned to one of our in patient units (4 on our Braintree Campus, 1 at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick, MA), each of which has its own team of rehabilitation professionals. The first few days at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, your treatment team will conduct a variety of evaluations so they can determine your treatment plan and estimate how long you may need to reach your goals.
Each day you will engage in a rehabilitation program that has been designed especially for you. The intensity and duration of your therapies will depend on your needs and capabilities. Each week your treatment team will meet to discuss your progress, goals, and discharge plan.
Your rehabilitation program may also include a family conference at which you and your loved ones can discuss your treatment plan with your rehabilitation team. Sometime during your stay, you and one of your therapists may travel out into the community so you can evaluate your abilities in real-life situations. Also, toward the end of your stay, one of your therapists may visit your home to evaluate it for safety and accessibility.
What kind of doctors will be treating me?
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital’s medical staff includes many full-time hospital based physicians and nurse practitioners who are dedicated to making your rehabilitation as successful as possible.
Routinely, you will be evaluated by one of our doctors. During your stay, every effort will be made to keep your own doctors involved in your care and aware of your progress. When needed, consulting medical and surgical specialists from area hospitals, who have privileges at Braintree Rehab Hospital will assist in your treatment.
During your stay here, our doctors assume total responsibility for your care 24 hours a day, seven days per week, coordinating that care with your regular healthcare team in the community. Because Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital values the integral role you and your family play in the rehabilitation process, we encourage open communication between you and your Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital physicians.
When you are ready to leave Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, a discharge summary will be sent to your primary care physician and necessary specialists so they can pick up where our doctors leave off.
What other individuals will assist in my recovery?
While you are a patient at Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, a team of rehabilitation professionals will work in concert with you, your family, and one another to help you reach your rehabilitation goals.
Throughout your inpatient stay, a 24-hour team of registered nurses and personal care assistants will assess and attend to your day-to-day health needs. Many of Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital’s experienced registered nurses have earned certification in rehabilitation nursing; these highly skilled clinicians possess unparalleled training in meeting the specialized needs of rehabilitation patients.
When you are admitted to Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital, you will be assigned a Case Manager who communicates with your insurance company and coordinates services you will need when you leave the hospital. If outpatient rehabilitation is needed, Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has its own network of outpatient clinics throughout New England that offer a full range of therapeutic and support services.
Other members of your treatment team will be determined based on your rehabilitation needs. These may include physical, occupational, and speech therapists. If your injury or illness has affected your thinking skills or work capabilities, your treatment team may also include a neuropsycholgist. Because Braintree Rehab is committed to meeting your emotional and spiritual needs, we also provide family counseling and pastoral care services.
What role will my family take in my rehabilitation?
At Braintree Rehab we feel that a patient’s family is “KEY” to the rehabilitation process. In fact, we consider them part of the patient’s rehabilitation team and always encourage family participation in the rehabilitation process.
Our staff provides ongoing education to help you, and your family understand your diagnosis, promote your continued good health and prepare for your return to the community.
Visitors are always welcome between 12:00-1:00p.m. and 4:00-8:00p.m.
What should I bring to the rehabilitation hospital?
Along with the usual items you would need for any hospital stay, you should have several sets of comfortable “work out clothing” and soft/non-skid soled shoes or sneakers. With the exception of small personal items (i.e., electric razor) and a few dollars for reading materials, all other valuables should be given to family members for safekeeping. Please note that throughout your stay, your family is responsible for your laundry.
What are the hospital rooms like?
Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has five inpatient units; four onsite and one housed at MetroWest Medical Center in Natick, MA. All rooms have individual patient bureaus, personal wardrobe closets, a bedside television, telephone, private bathroom and hospital wide wire-less internet access. Patients are given the opportunity to participate in their therapy in a large, sunny gym. For patients who prefer a less stimulating environment, there are smaller, individualized therapeutic gymnasiums on each patient unit. Each patient unit has a lounge area, where patients and their families may relax or visit with one another. Additional information about patient rooms and hospital grounds can be found under Inpatient Accommodations.
Who will pay for my rehabilitation services?
Rehabilitation is covered in full or in part by most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Mass Health. Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital has contracts with major insurance companies and is willing to negotiate with other companies as needed.
What to look for in a rehabilitation facility?
As you look into your rehabilitation options, use the what to look for checklist to compare availability of services and personnel, approach to delivery of care and patient outcomes.
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