Rehabilitation Hospital of Memphis
Frequently Asked Questions
Rehabilitation takes different forms for every individual. After an accident or illness, returning home in optimal physical condition is vital. The patient’s goal may be walking independently – perhaps with a cane, or using a manual or motorized wheelchair. The patient may need to relearn daily living routines such as grooming, self-care, cooking, driving, communication or even returning to work or school. Whatever the patient’s goals or abilities, we can offer personalized assistance.
The questions below are those most frequently asked by our rehab patients and their families. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, please contact us.
Q:How big is your rehab facility and where is it located?
A: The Rehabilitation Hospital of Memphis (RHM) is a 20-bed comprehensive rehabilitation facility located in the Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED), 842 Jefferson Ave., Memphis, TN, 38103.
Q: How are patients admitted to RHM?
A: Patients are referred by their doctor, case manager or nurse following an injury or elective surgery. Once we receive a call, an admissions coordinator will visit the patient to discuss rehabilitation. In coordination with the rehab physician, the admissions office will evaluate the patient’s medical status, pre-certify their insurance, and assist in arranging for admission.
On the day of admission, bring a family member to assist with check-in. The patient is brought directly to the rehab nursing floor where our admissions office is notified to admit them. That day, the family member will need to bring insurance cards and other information. Plan on spending time with the case manager, rehabilitation physician, and nurse.
Q: What types of patient injuries and diseases are treated?
A: Adults who have:
- Burns
- Multiple trauma
- Neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease
- Orthopedic problems and joint replacements
- Spinal cord injuries
- Stroke
- Those who experience debilitation following surgery, oncology treatments, and extended hospitalization
- Traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury or disease
Q: What type of services and therapy are offered?
A: The following types of rehab services are offered to our patients:
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Recreation therapy
- Speech therapy
- Case management
- Rehabilitation nursing care
- Medical services provided by a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician
- Special consultants are available to meet other rehab needs
Q: Can you accommodate rehab patients with other special medical problems?
A: Yes. Many patients have pre-existing medical problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, take blood thinning medications, or have feeding or breathing tubes and other respiratory complications. The rehab doctor coordinates treatment of complicated medical conditions with the patient's specialists.
Our nursing staff is fully trained in all general medical conditions, with specialization in rehabilitation nursing. Due to the location of RHM – inside The MED – we are able to access the full services of a medical/surgical hospital.
Q: What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
A: The nursing-to-patient ratio is typically two nurses per six to eight patients during the day shift. In daily therapy, each therapist has six to seven patients. Therapy is provided one-on-one, as well as in groups.
Admissions