Understanding Direct Admissions to Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals

In the evolving landscape of healthcare, one approach that is gaining traction for its efficiency and effectiveness is direct admission to inpatient rehabilitation hospitals. This model, which allows patients to bypass emergency rooms or acute care hospitals and go directly into a specialized rehabilitation setting, offers numerous benefits for patients, families, and healthcare providers.

What Type of Patients Are Candidates for Direct Admission?

Patients who do not need emergency intervention or medical care but who could benefit from intensive, focused rehabilitation, supervision, and support might be candidates for direct admission.  For example, a patient who has recently experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury returns home from an extended hospital stay.  While they were in the hospital, they may have undergone deconditioning because they were bedbound for an extended period.  Instead of going to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital at the time, they thought they would be fine to return home.  However, they may find it challenging to get around, take care of themselves, and perform basic acts of self-care.  Because of these factors, their condition may continue to decline.  Although they may not need to go into the acute care hospital again, they could benefit tremendously from intensive inpatient rehabilitation. 

Direct admission to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital could provide them with the therapy they need to regain their strength, endurance, and conditioning so they can reach their optimal potential and perhaps avoid further complications.  Unlike an acute care hospital, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals focus entirely on physical, occupational, and speech therapy with the primary goal of assisting patients in achieving as much independence as possible.  Inpatient rehabilitation hospitals provide 24-hour care, access to physician specialists, and up to 3 hours of therapy 5 times a week and average stays are two weeks or less.[i]

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Benefits for Patients and Families

1. Faster Access to Specialized Care: One significant advantage of direct admission is how quickly patients can access specialized rehabilitative care. Instead of spending time in an acute care hospital before eventually transferring to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, patients can begin their rehabilitation journey sooner, which can be crucial in conditions where early intervention leads to better outcomes.

2. Enhanced Patient Experience: Direct admission eliminates the need for multiple transfers between facilities, reducing the stress and confusion for patients and their families. This streamlined process allows for a more focused and personalized rehabilitation experience.

3. Better Patient Outcomes: The American Hospital Association reports that patients discharging from inpatient rehabilitation hospitals often return to their homes and experience low rates of hospital readmissions.[ii]

Patients who are interested in direct admission should speak to their physician.  If certain criteria are met, Medicare or insurance may also cover the cost of the stay. 

Sources:

[i] (Center for Medicare Advocacy, 2014)

[ii] (American Hospital Association, 2019)