Will I see my doctor regularly while in the hospital?

The attending doctors make rounds daily on their patients whenever possible. The case manager will also meet with you (and family members if necessary) in order to assure the proper discharge plan for your particular case. Arrangements for transfer to a rehabilitation floor or sub-acute floor either at the hospital or elsewhere will be evaluated by you and the case manager if this becomes an option.

When will I be ready for discharge?

Depending on whether you go home or to another facility to recuperate will play a role in when discharge occurs. In general, a patient can be transferred to the rehabilitation floor on the 2nd post-operative day. Transfer to the sub-acute floor may occur on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day. If you are being transferred to another facility, transfers usually occur on the 2nd or 3rd post-operative day as well. Discharges to home occur on the 3rd to 4th post-operative day in general.

How will I know whether to go home or to another facility for further rehab?

In general, if you live with someone who will be assisting you, discharge home is the usual procedure. Arrangements for further home or out-patient P.T. will be made by the case manager. Most patients can go directly home if they are deemed safe by the physician and therapists. While not required, it is highly recommended to have someone to assist you the first 48-72 hours after discharge on a full-time basis and perhaps part-time the 1st WEEK or two after this. If you live alone or are in an environment at home where your safety is in question (i.e. PT/OT goals not met), you may be recommended for placement in a rehabilitation center. These facilities are usually available to a patient for a 3-5 day stay, with emphasis on returning the patient home in a short period after aggressively addressing any problems with patient independence. If you live alone or are not progressing rapidly enough in therapy sessions and it is unlikely you will be able to do so in a rehab setting, a sub-acute facility may be recommended for a longer period of recuperation. The choices available are influenced by insurances in some aspects and, therefore, will need to be discussed by the patient, the case manager, and the insurance companies as warranted.