The Rehabilitation Institute is housed on the west wing of North Mississippi Medical Center's first floor.  The 30-bed inpatient unit is staffed with a team of professionals who provide three to five hours of intensive therapy daily to help patients reach their individual goals.  Patients are cared for by a board-certified physiatrist (a physician specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation), as well as case managers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, rehabilitation nurses, speech-language pathologists, recreational therapist and a clinical psychologist. Patients can be referred to the Rehabilitation Institute by physicians, rehabilitation agencies, insurance companies, home care agencies, patients and/or families.
 
Our medical director evaluates each patient prior to admission.  He determines whether patients are ready for the program medically and whether their needs will be best served by this program.

Rehabilitation Team

The rehabilitation team consists of case managers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, rehabilitation nurses, clinical psychologist, speech language pathologists, recreational therapist and physicians.

Admission Criteria

Rehabilitation Diagnoses &
Functional Problems

Second Time Around Program

North Mississippi Medical Center's Rehabilitation Institute accepts new and used durable medical equipment to donate through its Second Time Around Program.
 
The program makes new and used medical equipment available to patients who may not have the funds to purchase needed items.  Often, patients who are recovering from a stroke or other debilitating illnesses or injuries do not have insurance and cannot afford the medical equipment they need at home.  Some items, especially bath equipment, are not paid for by many insurance policies, so even patients with insurance coverage often cannot afford them.

This program is ideal for families who have to purchase medical equipment or do not have the means to replace broken or worn items.  Anyone wishing to donate items such as electric wheelchairs, shower chairs, walkers, canes, or crutches should call (662) 377-4058 or 1-800-843-3375.

Common Questions

What is the purpose of rehabilitation?
The purpose of rehabilitation is to help people become as independent as possible following an illness or injury.

When can I have visitors?
Monday-Friday, 5-8 p.m. and  3-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday,

Can someone stay with me?
Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight with patients except in certain circumstances as requested by the patient's physician.

How are the rooms arranged?
The Rehabilitation Institute rooms are semi-private with a shared bathroom.  You will have your own phone, TV, sink and doorway into your room.  The semi-private rooms are separated by a curtain.  Showers are also available on the unit.

What about smoking?
NMMC is a non-tobacco facility.

How long will I have to stay?
The average length of stay is 15 days, but it varies from person to person.  Your progress determines the length of time you will spend in the Rehabilitation Institute.

How will it be paid for?
The Rehabilitation Institute accepts Medicare and Medicaid which may pay part or all of your rehab stay.  Private insurance companies vary from policy to policy.  A rehabilitation case manager will contact your insurance company to see if it pays for rehabilitation.  If you have no insurance, our business office will help you set up a payment plan or help you complete a charity application.

How much therapy will I receive each day?
You will receive a minimum of three hours of therapy Monday through Friday.  Therapy is also provided on Saturday and Sunday.

What will the rehabilitation team members and nurses expect of me?
You will be expected to participate in therapy sessions and ask questions.  As you get stronger, we will encourage you to do as much as you can for yourself to prepare you to go home.  We will expect you to practice what you learn while you are still in the rehabilitation setting so that when you get home you can do as much as possible for yourself again.

What can I expect from the rehabilitation team members?
The rehabilitation team members will provide you with a schedule within 24 hours after admission.  Your therapy team will provide you with education about your disability, as well as teach you how to use any equipment such as a cane, walker, etc. that you might have to use upon discharge.  Team members will meet at least weekly to discuss your progress and to determine how long you will be in the program.  The rehabilitation social worker will let you and your family/caregiver know what the team discussed and the expected discharge date so your can be preparing ahead of time for eventual discharge.

What is expected from my family or caregiver?
The rehab team will ask family/caregivers to participate in therapy sessions as needed and will schedule this with your family or caregiver as needed.  The team will teach family/caregivers any activities or how to operate equipment that will be needed to take care of the patient at home.

We ask that family/caregivers let the patients do as much for themselves as possible so they can regain as much independence as possible prior to returning home.  The patients need to practice before going home so let them take care of themselves while you are still in the rehabilitation setting.  The family/caregiver is responsible for the patient's laundry.  One washer and dryer are available at the Rehabilitation Institute if needed.

What clothes and supplies will I need to bring?
Bring comfortable clothing, non-slip shoes, toiletries such as deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, shampoo, etc.

What happens if I get home and forget everything the therapist has taught me?
Call us back at (662) 377-4060 or (662) 377-4058.

Can I tour the rehabilitation unit?
Yes.  Any staff member can take you on a tour.

Will a doctor see me while I am in the rehabilitation program?
Your attending rehab physician will follow you during your stay although daily visits are not typically needed.  A rehabilitation physician is always available.  The rehabilitation physician will consult a specialist as needed.

Is the unit licensed or affiliated with any organization?
•  Mississippi State Department of Health
•  Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
•  Member, American Hospital Association and Mississippi Hospital Association
•  (CARF) Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities

A Team Effort

Rehabilitation is based upon the team approach.  Our interdisciplinary team of professionals works with patients and their families to design a rehabilitation plan to satisfy each individual's specific needs and personal goals.

When a patient is admitted to the Rehabilitation Institute, the patient care team conducts an evaluation to determine degree of functional disability.  In agreement with the patient and family, the team establishes a treatment plan with one goal in mind-that the patient achieve the highest level of functioning possible so that he or she may resume a more active and productive lifestyle.  Team members work intensively with the patient every day and meet together weekly to review each patient's progress.

Professionals on the Rehabilitation Team:
•  Physiatrist
•  Physical Therapist
•  Occupational Therapist
•  Speech Pathologist
•  Clinical Psychologist
•  Social Worker
•  Rehabilitation Nurse
•  Rehabilitation Case Manager
•  Recreational Therapist

The rehabilitation team also relies upon other professionals to provide support services if patients require them.  These professionals include:
•  Dietitian
•  Chaplains
•  Orthotist
•  Prosthetist
•  Pharmacists

Treatment and Programs

Driving Assessment and Training
The Driving Assessment and Training program is physician referred and monitored by an occupational therapist.  Head injury, stroke and amputee patients may need help determining whether they are able to return to driving.  Prior to driving, an inpatient screening measures visual perception, reaction time, muscle strength and cognitive abilities.  A minimum one-hour drive is modified to meet individual patient needs, usually following familiar paths, in the "rehab car" equipped with adaptive equipment.  The therapist makes a recommendation of readiness to physicians and helps patients contact appropriate companies for installing adaptive equipment in their own vehicles.

Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic Therapy is a multidiscipline treatment that therapists and patients alike enjoy.  The rehabilitation team takes patients to NMMC's Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at Longtown Medical Park to exercise in the indoor pool.  Candidates for this therapy are patients who have good mobility in the gym and are beginning to stand on their own.  The fluid motions allowed by water help patients walk, kick and move their limbs to improve their strength, endurance, and balance.

Therapeutic Leave Program
The Therapeutic Leave Program allows patients to leave the inpatient facility on a day pass.  The purpose of therapeutic leave is to enable patients to feel comfortable in their own surroundings and help them adapt to changes in their home environment.  Therapeutic leave also allows caregivers the opportunity to identify other potential problems, learning needs and coping skills needed prior to discharge.

Patient and Family Education

The Rehabilitation Institute staff conducts educational classes for family and/or caregivers to increase understanding of the rehabilitation process and to help patients meet their own needs and maximize independence.  Through presentations, videotapes, demonstrations and discussions, caregivers learn to assist patients with activities such as dressing, bathing, hygiene, cooking, exercising, walking, managing stress and resolving conflicts.  Individualized sessions are arranged to meet each patient and family need.

Community Orientation

Occupational therapists provide patients with planned activities to help enable them to successfully re-enter their natural environment.  Activities include excursions to grocery stores, shopping centers, restaurants, movies and sporting events.

Going Home

When the rehabilitation team determines the patient is ready for discharge to outpatient or homebound therapy, team members help patients prepare for the transition.  Team members often visit the patient's home and workplace to evaluate accessibility in those buildings.  Then the team makes recommendations for modifications, such as installing ramps, widening doorways, or any equipment that may be needed.

Through the discharge planning process, patients and their families also receive educational services and specific home care instructions, as well as referrals and follow-up consultations.

How To Make A Referral

Patients may be referred by physicians, nurse practitioners, rehabilitation agencies, insurance companies, home care agencies, or by self-referral.

Referrals may be called directly to the rehabilitation case manager at (662) 377-7218 or 1-800-843-3375.

Physician Referral
Physician offices may fax medical records to (662) 377-4119 for the rehabilitation physician to review. The Rehabilitation Case Manager will notify you of the recommendation and admission time frame.

When referral information is received, the rehabilitation case manager will schedule an appointment to evaluate the patient as soon as possible.  This evaluation will be reviewed by the Rehabilitation Institute Medical Director who approves patients for admission to the Rehabilitation Institute. The rehabilitation case manager will contact the referral source regarding status of patient evaluation and when an inpatient bed will be available.