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Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Patient FAQs

The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute offers inpatient care and programs. We work with people with brain and spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other health issues.

Our transitional rehab also helps people heal and go home more quickly.

Common Rehab Questions

Inpatient rehab is the therapy and doctor visits you get while in the hospital.

Outpatient rehab is the care you receive when you're not in the hospital. This might include visiting a rehab doctor (a physiatrist). It can also involve getting physical, occupational, or speech therapy.

Transitional rehab units provide short-stay care between inpatient and outpatient rehab. It meets the needs of people who aren't quite healthy enough to go home when discharged from the hospital.

A physiatrist is a doctor of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

They diagnose and treat health issues using:

  • Rehab techniques.
  • Health management.
  • Medicines.

They look at people as a whole to:

  • Bring back function.
  • Get over physical limitations.
  • Prevent impairment.

Inpatient Rehabilitation FAQ

A doctor will need to refer you for inpatient rehab at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.

Your health issues must need the services of an acute inpatient rehab program. This may include daily therapy and care with your nurses and doctors.

Then, to take part in inpatient rehab, you must:

  • Be in stable condition.
  • Have functional needs that rehab techniques can improve.
  • Be able to tolerate and benefit from three hours of rehab a day. This may be a mix of physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
  • Expect to make progress toward your goals within a practical time frame.

You'll meet with staff either before or at the time of admission. They'll talk with you and your family about rehab goals and answer your questions.

During your first meeting and throughout your inpatient rehab stay, you and your treatment team will discuss:

  • Your goals.
  • Your progress.
  • Any barriers to reaching your goals.

If your doctor thinks you need inpatient rehab, they will consult a physiatrist or a rehab liaison. The team will review your health status and treatment progress.

If your needs meet the criteria for acute inpatient rehabilitation, the team will:

  • Approve the request.
  • Tell you about our inpatient rehab program at UPMC.
  • Find possible inpatient rehab clinics near you that meet your needs.

You also may call 1-877-287-3422 to learn more.

The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute accepts many health insurance plans.

You can call us with questions at 1-877-287-3422. We're happy to help.

Yes. Call 1-877-287-3422 to arrange a time.

See our locations page to learn more about an inpatient rehab facility near you.

Your Inpatient Physical Rehab Stay at UPMC

At the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, you'll have three hours of rehab per day, at least five days a week.

Your care team will tailor a treatment plan for you.

They'll encourage you to use the therapy skills you learned throughout the rest of your day. This will help you get ready to go home.

In most cases, a doctor will see you at least once a day while you're in inpatient rehab. It all depends on your health status and care needs.

Yes. We urge loved ones and friends to visit.

They're a vital part of your care team and can help you reach your rehab goals.

Throughout your inpatient rehab stay, your loved ones can take part in family training.

This training is crucial when you're close to going home. It helps them learn how to help you after you leave the hospital.

Our centers are located in acute care hospitals where you have access to UPMC's top specialists. They can get routine and emergency care of various types.

See our inpatient rehab packing checklist.

You'll find a complete list of what you should and shouldn't bring to the inpatient rehabilitation unit.

Outpatient Rehabilitation FAQ

Our physical medicine doctors treat a wide range of health issues, including:

  • Adult spina bifida.
  • Arthritis.
  • Bone, joint, muscle, and connective tissue disorders.
  • Brain and spinal cord injuries.
  • Joint replacement.
  • Limb loss.
  • Lower back pain.
  • Pelvic and pre- and postpartum pain.
  • Sports and overuse injuries.
  • Stroke.
  • Work injuries.

Physical, occupational, and speech therapists also treat many health issues and injuries on an outpatient basis, including:

  • Arthritis.
  • Back, shoulder, and neck pain.
  • Balance disorders.
  • Facial and jaw pain.
  • Hand injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome.
  • Inner ear problems.
  • Knee and leg injuries or pain.
  • Lymphedema.
  • Neurology disorders.
  • Speech and swallowing disorders.
  • Sports injuries.
  • Work-related injuries.

For outpatient:

  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation, call 1-800-533-8762.
  • Occupational, physical, and speech therapy, call 1-888-723-4277.
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