Inpatient Rehabilitation at UPMC Western Maryland

We serve adults over 18 years of age diagnosed with but not limited to:

• Stroke.
• Traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries.
• Non-traumatic spinal cord injuries.
• Lower extremity fractures.
• Cardiac and pulmonary disorders.
• Amputations.
• Nervous system health problems. These may include Parkinson's, myasthenia gravis, myopathy, and Multiple Sclerosis.

The CIRU accepts referrals from:

• Doctors in private practice.
• Internal and external transitional care facilities.
• Critical care and acute care units.
• Home health.

We work with most insurance plans, including Medicaid and private health plans. We will get pre-authorization and give financial disclosures before you accept the bed offer.

The Veteran's Administration (VA) is not a payor for acute inpatient rehabilitation. People served by the VA must go to specific designated facilities determined by the VA system.

Our treatment team works together with you and your family to develop an individualized plan of rehabilitation care and then guides you through a practical and personal process to maximize functional independence.

During your stay with us, you get:

• Daily provider monitoring.
• 24-hour nursing care.
• Three hours of therapy a day, six days a week, in at least two of the three disciplines: physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology.

CIRU also offers:

• Radiological and laboratory services.
• Medical care.
• Nutritional consultation.
• Pastoral and spiritual care.
• Pharmacological services
• Respiratory therapy.
• Social work and case management.
• Mental and behavioral health care on an individual basis.

Other specialty services can be available through consultation, depending on the person's need for durable medical equipment, orthotics, and prosthetics. We aim to make sure your rehab care plan helps you reach your full potential with seamless care.

Supporting your health and wellness while in the CIRU

Transitional Care/Wellness opportunities include:

• Re-entry planning.
• Medicine management.
• Monthly stroke support group.
• Sunday mobility.
• A stay in our transitional apartment.
• Wellness lunch and learn sessions.

CIRU is within UPMC Western Maryland, so you have access to all of the hospital's emergent care services if the need arises.

We also offer imaging testing at any time, such as:

• CT scans.
• Echocardiograms.
• MRIs.
• Modified barium swallow studies.
• Ultrasounds.
• X-rays.

The CIRU's admission guidelines help make sure each person we serve gets the best care.

Admission to the CIRU is elective and is based on criteria that help ensure that the services are the most appropriate for each individual we serve.

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Requires at least a five-day inpatient rehab stay.
• An impairment that requires 24-hour rehab, medical, and nursing care.
• Require an intense program with care from two or more therapies (physical, occupational, or speech therapy)
• Be willing and able to participate in three hours of therapy each day or 15 hours a week.
• Be medically stable with no ongoing medical problems that would stop you from participating in an intensive physical rehabilitation program.
• Have the potential for improvement as a result of participation in an inpatient rehabilitation program.
• Have a family member, caregiver, or partner's support if necessary to accomplish the highest level of functional outcome.

CIRU admission guidelines for spinal cord and brain injuries

We consider people with spinal cord dysfunction — whether traumatic or non-traumatic — on a case-by-case basis.

We care for people who aren't on ventilator support who have spine injuries at one of the following levels:

• Sacral.
• Lumbar.
• Thoracic.
• Cervical (C6 or C7).

We consider people with acquired brain injuries if they level of 7 or higher on the Rancho scale and possess the following characteristics:

• Behavior is appropriate in a familiar setting.
• Ability to perform daily routines automatically.
• Shows carry-over for new learning.
• Initiates social interactions (although judgement may remain impaired).

Stroke Specialty Program

Our CARF accredited Stroke Specialty Program follows these same inpatient rehabilitation admission criteria and focuses on the unique needs of persons who have sustained a stroke.

We aim to:

• Support you and your loved ones.
• Promote health and wellness.
• Improve your overall quality of life.

The goals of the stroke program are to:

• Provide education on preventing a recurrent stroke.
• Help reduce impairment and other health issues that come from a stroke.
• Reduce functional activity limitations.
• Lower your environmental barriers.
• Ensure a successful transition care plan is agreed upon.

See the 2024 annual outcomes of the CIRU and stroke specialty program (PDF).

After a referral, a rehab coordinator or liaison will complete a preadmission screening.

This screening will determine if you're eligible for admission to the CIRU.

The preadmission screen evaluates the following criteria:

• Diagnosis details.
• Prior level of function.
• Health history.
• Details of your ongoing needs.
• Your support system.
• How long you likely need to stay.
• Where you can go after discharge from the CIRU.
• How you plan to pay for the stay.

A rehab provider will review the preadmission screen and justify that the patient requires, will benefit from, and can actively participate in intensive rehabilitation therapy.

The intended discharge setting for most people we treat is to return to their home.

If home isn't a good option, we try to find the best place to meet your needs, such as:

• A skilled nursing center.
• A long-term acute care center.
• Acute care for further treatment.
• A residential center.

The discharge environment depends on the patient/caregiver's ability to provide safe and effective care for the patient.