Patients staying in the hospital work closely with our staff at Washington Health System Inpatient and Acute Rehabilitation Services. Our team consists of physicians, licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists rehabilitation nurses, case managers, social services, and discharge planners. Together, they work to assist, motivate, educate and encourage patients to reach their fullest potential following illness, surgery and injury. They also work collaboratively with the entire healthcare team to problem solve with patients and their families by simulating various activities in a safe, controlled environment during their hospital stay.

We focus on the whole person to maintain patients’ overall health and wellness. At the same time, treatment is individualized to meet the needs of each patient and provide the highest level of care and to prepare patients for successful discharge from the inpatient hospital setting.

WHS Rehabilitation Services – Washington

155 Wilson Ave, Washington, PA

Phone: (724) 229-3279 Inpatient Therapy
Phone: (724) 250-6280 Outpatient Therapy

WHS Rehabilitation Services – Greene

350 Bonar Ave, Waynesburg, PA

Phone: (724) 627-2632 Inpatient Therapy

If you have questions or would like more information about Washington Health System Rehabilitation Services, please contact us or click on the services below.

Occupational therapists evaluate patients’ ability to care for themselves independently, including the ability to dress, bathe, groom, and transfer in the bathroom and bedroom. During the evaluation and treatment process, occupational therapist may recommend adaptive equipment such as a long handled shoehorn, sock aide, reacher, bedside commode, tub-shower chair or tub/shower safety rails, all of which help patients be as independent as possible in caring for their daily needs.

Occupational therapists’ main objective is to have each patient be as independent as possible prior to going home. The treatment process may involve sessions with family members who will be assisting in the patient’s care following discharge from the hospital setting.

The program’s Occupational Therapy Apartment and “Main Street” area are located inside WHS Washington Hospital and consist of a fully equipped apartment and also include a car, putting green and grocery area, all with varying floor surfaces and levels.

Physical therapists evaluate the patient’s strength and mobility, including the ability to get in and out of bed, to move from bed to chair, to walk, and, if indicated, to ascend and descend stairs. The therapist may provide instruction in the use of assistive devices such as a walker, cane, or crutches. The physical therapist develops treatment plans that work to improve range of motion and strength through customized exercise programs. The goal is to get patients to their highest level of functional mobility prior to discharge from the hospital so they may return home and be as safe and independent as possible. Additional Outpatient Therapy may be suggested.

Speech Language Pathologists evaluate and treat patients who have difficulty understanding language, using language or making speech sounds correctly. They also assess patients who have difficulty chewing, frequent choking episodes or discomfort when swallowing, and also work with those who cough when drinking or eating.

Many speech and swallowing problems are a result of a stroke, neurological disease or injury. Our licensed Speech Language Pathologists have extensive training and experience in all areas of rehabilitation for speech and swallowing disorders.

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) team at WHS Washington Hospital assists individuals who have experienced a catastrophic illness or injury, helping them develop the skills to live as independently as possible after leaving the hospital. Our team specialists work together to build patients’ strength and endurance, help them master the activities needed for daily living, improve speech, language and cognition skills, and streamline the discharge process so that patients have access to the special equipment and resources they may need when they return home.

Individual therapy plans are designed to meet patients’ needs and are developed according to their level of function before the injury, their current level of function, and their living situation after leaving the hospital.

Acute inpatient rehabilitation consists of a total of three hours of therapy per day spaced throughout the day. Therapy is given at least five days per week.

ARU patient goals include:

  • increasing independence with the goals of daily living, such as eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, homemaking, etc.
  • increasing mobility by learning new techniques and exercises to build mobility, strengthen muscles, and increase stamina
  • discovering activities to enjoy and maintaining health independence and strength as patients continue rehabilitation
  • improving communication for those with speech problems

Families play a key role in rehabilitation, working with the ARU staff to help with the continuation of recovery when patients leave the hospital. Activities family members are involved in include:

  • discharge planning, including organizing living arrangements and care
  • helping newly discharged patients conserve energy so that they can do as much as possible without becoming tired
  • learning exercises to do at home to maintain and improve patients’ physical condition
  • using adaptive equipment such as canes, reachers, and walkers, which can help patients continue to recover
  • making the adjustment (both physical and emotional) to disabilities, and learning to recognize limitations
  • managing medical complications

The primary caregiver of the patient will be invited for family training. This individual goes through a full day of therapy sessions with the patient. This is an opportunity for family members to observe how well patients do with specific therapies and ask any questions they may have.

Inpatient Rehabilitation: Frequently Asked Questions

All of our therapists are licensed by the State Board of Pennsylvania.

Occupational therapy is a series of exercises and techniques used to help individuals achieve independence in their activities of daily living which include dressing, grooming, home safety, home management, cleaning, cooking, and memory and problem solving skills related to daily routines. If needed, occupational therapists help individuals learn to compensate for disabilities by using adaptive equipment to help to make certain activities possible. Occupational therapists also provide guidance to family members and caregivers so that they are able to help patients achieve their goals.

A wide variety of people can benefit from rehab, including those with limitations related to stroke, heart attack, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, birth-related injuries, learning or developmental disabilities, mental health or behavioral problems including Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, eating disorders, burns, spinal cord injuries, amputations, broken bones, sports injuries, or vision or cognitive problems that threaten their ability to drive.

Your physical therapist will evaluate the patient and situation and make recommendations about what treatments or interventions are best. These might include exercises to help improve strength, balance, endurance and flexibility. Treatment may also include education on how to use assistive devices to help patients move about through the day safely and independently.

Speech Therapy provides a wide variety of services including speech/language therapy, cognitive retraining (memory and problem solving skills), voice therapy and dysphagia (swallowing) therapy.

Vital Stim is electrical stimulation to the face and neck with electrodes being placed directly on the skin. It helps return normal function to muscles. This treatment improves swallowing function and movement of face muscles. Vital Stim is beneficial for most individuals with swallowing problems (dysphagia) in the mouth or throat due to stroke or head or neck cancer, as well as some of those with progressive neurological diseases, traumatic brain injury and age-related decline.

Acute Rehabilitation: Frequently Asked Questions

The length of stay depends on a variety of things including the diagnosis, preexisting or current comorbidities, the patient’s current level of functioning, and the rate of progress made once in the ARU. All of these things are taken into consideration when determining the length of stay.

A typical day in the ARU consists of at least three hours of therapy. Depending on the diagnosis, therapy may involve occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Therapy is broken up throughout the day so that all three hours are not consecutive. On mornings when an occupational therapist assists works with patients on activities of daily living (ADLs), the day starts and typically ends a little earlier.

The ARU manager assists with discharge planning, working with patients and their families. Items and services usually arranged by the social worker include: medical supplies (walkers, canes, etc.), home health or outpatient services, and in home services (meals on wheels, life alert systems, and caregivers).

Any of the ARU staff is able to update caregivers on the progress of their loved ones. There are also weekly care conferences that are held involving the medical director, ARU manager, nurses and therapists. After the care conferences, the ARU managers will contact caregivers with updates. The ARU manager also contacts caregivers to schedule family training, which is when loved ones come in and observe patients in therapy. This gives visitors an excellent opportunity to meet the staff and ask questions about their loved ones’ progress.

There are several factors that determine whether or not admittance to the ARU is covered by insurance. Those include the diagnosis, ability to participate in three hours of therapy, ability to demonstrate progress, and a realistic and detailed discharge disposition. Families can discuss these items with the medical director and the ARU manager. If a patient has a managed care or commercial insurance, the ARU manager will contact the insurance company to obtain authorization prior to admission.

A physician, social worker or case manager can assist with referrals to the ARU. Once an ARU referral in entered, a consult is scheduled with the ARU medical director, who meets with the patient and/or their family member(s) to discuss rehabilitation options. Individuals may also request to speak with the ARU manager for additional assistance.