Will I see my doctor regularly while in the hospital?
Dr. Abrahamsen makes rounds daily on his patients.
In addition, the orthopaedic resident doctors make rounds twice daily to monitor
your progress and make any changes required for your care. 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.
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.
