There’s a large unmet need for high-quality medical rehabilitation in both the United States and other parts of the world. Most major health insurance plans cover medical rehab for people who have experienced stroke, heart conditions, traumatic brain injury and other conditions.
Large-scale organizations like WHO and the CDC advocate for more access to medical rehabilitation. However, access is only helpful if services are patient centered, compassionate and effective. These organizations also publish guidelines on how facilities can maintain a high standard of care for all patients.
Before you or your loved one begins outpatient medical rehabilitation, it’s important to do some research and find a facility you can trust. This article outlines 10 services to look for in a reputable outpatient medical rehab center for people with disability, serious injury or illness.
How do I know if an outpatient medical rehabilitation center is reputable and trustworthy?
The first thing you can look for is accreditations from external organizations. The designation for Medicare and Medicaid-approved facilities is called Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORF) accreditation. The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) maintains high standards in its international accreditation process.
Another thing that distinguishes reputable facilities is their service capabilities. Look for a comprehensive continuum of care as well as transparency about processes. Organized and easy-to-understand client-facing materials are a good sign, too.
10 services to look for in a reputable outpatient medical rehabilitation center
Care work is undervalued in the business of healthcare. This often results in lower quality of care and poor treatment outcomes. To get more people the medical rehabilitation services they need to live their best lives, not only do we have to improve the quality of these services, but we also have to improve perceptions of medical rehabilitation in our communities.
You’re doing the right thing by educating yourself about how to find a trustworthy outpatient medical rehabilitation center. Look for the following services when you’re assessing your options:
- In-depth assessment and collaborative care planning — Not all medical rehab facilities can care for patients with complex medical conditions. Ask for details about each program’s initial assessment process and care model. They should begin with in-depth assessments that are tailored for each patient. You and your family should be involved in creating a personalized treatment plan.
- Transitional support — Support during the transition from other care systems to outpatient medical rehabilitation is critical for patients and families. There’s a lot of communication that needs to happen between organizations and important life decisions to make. Look for a medical rehabilitation center that provides individual support during transitions.
- Medical rehabilitation — Every outpatient program should include the traditional elements of medical rehab. These are physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. You may also need a care center with a specialty, such as pediatrics, brain injury or stroke.
- Assistive technology training — If you or your loved one has a disability, there may be assistive tech that can help you with everyday needs like getting around. At Ability KC, we help people learn to use assistive tech that’s new to them. We also use assistive tech during rehab, for instance, the Ekso GT robotic exoskeleton.
- Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) — To live in your own home, you need skills that go beyond basic activities of daily living (ADLs). We work on mobility, eating and using the bathroom with our patients. We also help them with more complex skills like planning meals, grocery shopping and managing their finances.
- Social support and community liaison — Your health impacts every area of your life. This includes your work, housing, support system and recreation. Look for an outpatient medical rehabilitation center with dedicated social workers and community liaisons who can help you make adjustments.
- Mental health support — Mental well-being goes hand in hand with physical health. Find out if a program has individual counseling and peer support groups to help you cope.
- Aquatic therapy — Aquatic therapy helps many medical rehab patients with symptoms like limited strength and joint pain. Water provides both support and resistance for a better exercise environment. Pool temperatures are also kept warm and comfortable to promote circulation.
- Strength and fitness training — Physical therapy helps a bit with regaining strength. However, it’s often not enough to support all-around wellness. A clinic with a full fitness facility can support patients in creating a modified fitness routine that works for them.
- Educational programs — Most people still have a lot of unanswered questions after they leave the hospital with a new diagnosis or an injury. Understanding your condition helps you take an active role in your rehabilitation. Look for a clinic that makes patient education a foundational part of its services.
Explore outpatient medical rehabilitation programs at Ability KC
At Ability KC, we care about creating a safe, affirming and personalized rehabilitation experience for each patient. We go above and beyond industry standards to maintain our CARF and CORF accreditations, among others. We take an integrated approach that spans multiple practices for seamless, comprehensive care. We have financial assistance and resources available on an as-needed basis, to support access to our rehabilitation program.
Our intensive day rehab program combines both individual and group treatments to create a strong care community. We also have an advanced neuropsych team with experience treating unique conditions. Finally, we have specialty services that many other rehab facilities don’t. Our employment programs, our driving evaluation & training program, and our seasonal programming for kids and teens are just a few examples.
Ready to learn more about admission? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.