Inpatient Rehabilitation

Frequently Asked Questions     Voice of Patients

For Individuals who have had a stroke, a fall, an auto accident, or other health event, there’s no better place to start a comeback than MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center’s comprehensive rehabilitation program, with over 50 years of experience. The program has been certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 1984 and is designed to help individuals regain their highest level of independence and return home within the shortest amount of time. 

Scope of Service

The inpatient rehabilitation unit is a 25-bed department including an independent living apartment. We admit patients ranging in age of 14 to geriatrics with younger patients on a case-by-case basis.
Common diagnosis admitted to our rehab unit include:

• Stroke
• Brain Injuries both traumatic and non-traumatic
• Spinal Cord Injuries both traumatic and non-traumatic
• Burns
• Multiple Trauma
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Major Joint replacements and other Orthopedic injuries
• Other conditions causing impairments in functional areas

Patients are appropriate for a rehab unit admission if they:

• Have conditions that can be expected to improve with therapy
• Require close medical supervision by a physician
• Require a minimum of 2 therapy disciplines, i.e., physical, occupational or speech therapy
• Require and can tolerate 3 hours or more of therapy daily
• Require 24 hours availability of rehabilitation nursing services
• Are medically stable but still require medical management
• Has a potential for progress and functional gains
• Has capacity to learn and willingness to participate

Treatment

Each patient admitted to the inpatient rehab setting has an individualized treatment plan that will help maximize the time during their stay. Patients will participate in intensive therapy to meet the required number of hours from the variety of disciplines. These sessions will give patients the knowledge as well as strength they need to reenter their lives. In addition to the 24-hour-a-day medical support, our program provides a full range of services including: chaplain services, respiratory care, pharmacy services, lab services, radiology.

Experienced Staff

The Rehab Unit is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of top medical professionals with the therapeutic expertise and specialized training to ensure the patient’s rehabilitation stay is designed and implemented for maximized benefits. Our team is led by our medical director Dr Alal Uddin who is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and assisted by Fatima Begic, ARNP

Other team members-

Rehab nursing: The 24-hour nursing care is designed for medically, emotionally, and physically complex patients. Our nurses provide comprehensive and personalized care by working with our providers, physical, occupational, speech, therapeutic recreation, respiratory therapist, and rehab family services. This circle of care ensures the highest level of patient support. Rehab nurses work with patients of all ages, including their families and caregivers, after the onset of a disabling injury or chronic illness. By using creative measures, they help to restore the patient’s freedom and independence. Our compassionate nursing care is second to none.

Physical Therapy (PT): Physical therapy focuses on improving strength, coordination, balance, and mobility to maximize function. After evaluating the patient and establishing their personal goals, MercyOne experts develop a personalized, patient-centered therapy plan. Assistive technology Practitioners can evaluate the need for complex rehab assistive devices (custom wheelchairs and power mobility). We also work closely with orthotists and prosthetists to support patients who need training with braces and prosthetics.

Occupational Therapy (OT):Occupational therapists focus on skills for the job of living. The occupational therapists support patients’ desires to regain their independence in daily living, both in personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, bathroom transfers), as well as routine activities (homemaking, laundry, driving). MercyOne occupational therapists treat patients from a physical, cognitive, and psychosocial perspective. Treatment can include upper body strength, movement and conditioning, cognition, safety, as well as visual perceptual interventions. Our team of experts makes MercyOne your best choice for inpatient rehab.

Speech Language Pathology (ST): Speech Language Pathologist assess and treat deficits related to speech and language, cognition, and swallowing. Activities and interventions are designed based on the needs of individual patients experiencing speech/language or cognitive difficulty. Patients with complex swallowing issues have convenient access to MercyOne’s circle of care. Radiology can perform video fluoroscopic swallow evaluations. MercyOne will coordinate recommendations and treatments with a dietician and nursing staff.

Therapeutic Recreation (TR): Leisure and recreational treatment sessions, such as community outings, water-related activities, one-on-one sessions, and group activities are designed to allow opportunities for gradual readjustments to family and community life. The leisure activities are chosen to compliment what the patients are working on in other therapies.

Rehab Family Services (SW): Medical social workers and rehabilitation counselors serve to link together the patient, family members and other rehabilitation team members. They also aid with addressing living arrangements, financial difficulties, educational needs, overall emotional support and assist patients in accessing resources within their community.

Nutritional counseling: Registered dietitians are available to educate individuals about the role nutrition plays in preventing and treating disease. Nutritional counseling helps patients learn more about specific diets prescribed by their physician and assists them in meeting nutritional needs to promote healing.

Neuropsychology: Neuropsychologists specialize in the study of brain behavior relationships and can help address emotional, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties associated with an individual’s illness or injury. Mercy One has both neuropsychologist and a clinical psychologist. Your MercyOne inpatient rehab team is here to help you live your best life. 

Family Involvement

The plan of care is reviewed following the first team meeting. Progress is reviewed at minimum weekly, along with goal setting, discussion on length of stay, discharge planning and any questions or concerns from the patient or family members. Family conferences are held on an as-needed basis scheduled by the social worker. The entire team is available for family conferences and may be requested at any time during a patients stay. Families are often encouraged to take part in orientation, rehabilitation education, therapy sessions and training, and enjoy unrestricted visitation.

Insurance Coverage

Medicare and/or private insurance will cover most services offered during your rehabilitation stay as long as you meet the continued admission and continued stay criteria. The medical director will make the decision regarding if you meet criteria, but it is always subject to review from Medicare and/or insurance. In some case, Medicare and/or insurance may need to be verified prior to admission, and prior authorization will need to be obtained.

For referrals to our acute inpatient rehab unit: 
Deanna Rustad, M. Ed 
Admissions Coordinator 
Phone: 319-272-7920 
Cell: 319-239-5509 
Fax: 319-272-7919 
Deanna.rustad@mercyhealth.com 
 

Mailing address: 
MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center 
ATTN: Rehab Services 
3421 West Ninth St 
Waterloo, IA 50702