Inpatient Rehabilitation

For more than 30 years, The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit has provided treatment for patients whose illnesses or injuries have led to activity limitations. We treat the physical and emotional aspects of a wide range of conditions that have limited a person's ability to perform daily living activities. Some of the conditions we treat include stroke, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and neurological disorders.

Located on the fourth floor of the St. Francis Campus hospital, the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit provides a safety net for patients, with response from in-house emergency physicians available 24 hours a day. Certified for 36 beds, the unit allows patients the opportunity to interact closely with each other. Patients receive one-on-one treatment time with their therapist and/or nurse, which helps in achieving optimal functional outcomes and a safe return to home.

The Rehabilitation Process

Physical rehabilitation is a complex process, which may involve family members and close friends as well as the patient. A dedicated team of highly trained professionals provides each patient with:

• A comprehensive evaluation
• A personalized treatment plan, created and led by a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Hours of intensive therapy and patient/caregiver education

We focus on guiding, motivating, and supporting the patient in his or her journey to functional independence. Each week, team members meet to discuss the patient’s progress, review goals, coordinate treatment, and revise the treatment plan as needed. We make every effort to involve patients and family members in setting  rehabilitation goals and provide open communication on the patient’s plan of care.

Our rehabilitation services are offered through an interdisciplinary team of:

We use the most current methods and equipment in working with patients to resume activities at home, work and in the community.

Easy Street

Easy Street, located within the unit, is a fit-to-scale replica of local businesses and common community settings that allows patients to practice routine activities, such as pumping gas, getting in and out of a car, shopping for groceries, conducting banking exchanges and more.

Transitional Living Apartment

The transitional living apartment, located within the unit with easy access to medical staff, if needed, provides a home-like setting for patients to practice navigating a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. In combination with Easy Street, the transitional living apartment gives patients and their families the opportunity to face everyday challenges with the support of the treatment team so the patient can make a smooth transition back to the community.

Self-Care Skills

Therapists and nurses help patients relearn everyday skills, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, household tasks and health management, such as medications and skin care.

Communication/Comprehensive Skills

Speech and language pathologists help provide patients with a functional form of communication—verbal or non-verbal—along with understanding directions. They also address swallowing and voice disorders.

Social Functioning

The rehabilitation team helps people return to work, find appropriate vocational training, address leisure function and reenter the community for social activities.

Memory/Problem Solving Skills

The rehabilitation team helps patients develop skills necessary for remembering adaptive techniques, problem solving in daily living, and safety awareness.

Success Rate

Our outcomes exceed regional and national averages of other rehabilitation facilities in successfully transitioning patients back to their homes.

Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit Criteria

To be eligible for admission to The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, a patient must meet the following criteria:

• Requires close medical management by a rehabilitation physician (physiatrist)
• Requires 24-hour rehabilitation nursing care
• Requires willingness and ability to participate in therapy for at least three hours per day, five days per week
• Requires active, ongoing therapy of at least two disciplines-- Speech, Physical, or Occupational
• Needs treatment provided in a coordinated program with weekly team conferences
• Demonstrates a potential for functional improvement
• Shows realistic goals that require intensive inpatient rehabilitation
• Has appropriate length of stay, defined functional goals, and discharge needs

Safe Discharge Plan

When a patient is ready for discharge, we assist in making arrangements for additional outpatient therapy or home care. We also provide home visits as needed to assure safe discharge to home. Home visits include recommendations regarding modifications, adaptive equipment, and arrangement of home.

For more information or to make a referral, please call us at: 785-295-8492

Looking for a doctor? Our experts are here to help you find a physician.

Call us toll-free at 1-833-4NEWDOC (1-833-463-9362).