How to Choose a Rehabilitation Facility

A trip or fal, motor vehicle accident, stroke, diseases or everyday wear and tear on your body could send you looking for a Rehabilitation Center. Most people do not know what to look for in a therapy center.

With the restraints placed by many insurance companies on the number of visits allowed, it is important that you make the right choice to ensure that each visit is moving you toward recovery.

You have a choice in where you take the therapy prescription from your doctor, just as you can choose which pharmacy fills your medicine prescription. To assist you in this choice we would like to pose several questions to consider in choosing where you will best be served.

Physical rehabilitation is provided by college-educated therapists with a specialty in Physical, Occupational or Speech Therapy. They treat people with physical impairments that can range from minimal to severe. Their mission is to help each person recover or regain function to the best of their abilities and to progress to a point of managing their own impairment. Certification Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is the national independent organization for rehabilitation facilities. This independent organization reviews facilities on many levels to determine quality of patient care, safety and administration.

Here is a list of questions to ask before scheduling your therapy: Can they get you into treatment quickly and will they obtain any necessary authorizations from your insurer?

Do they provide one on one treatment versus being treated with other patients at the same time?

Is your treatment individualized based on your current and developing needs (i.e. hands- on, modalities, exercise, education). Does it change as you progress?

Is the therapist licensed in one of the specialties listed above? Some centers use unlicensed personnel to assist in their clinics. Ask the therapist for their educational background and license. By law these need to be posted.

Will your treating therapist be consistent? One therapist should be responsible for your treatment plan throughout your stay with the aid of licensed Physical or Occupational therapy assistants.

Do you require a specific piece of equipment? Or skill? Do you need the assistance of several professionals and can you get them in the same location?

Are their programs CARF accredited?

Ask to visit the facility, take a tour and ask questions about patient satisfaction and outcomes for your particular problem.

Winter Haven Hospital's Outpatient Rehabilitation Center has two programs utilizing licensed, experienced therapists for orthopedic and neurological problems. We provide Speech, Physical and Occupational therapies. Our programs have been accredited by CARF for the past 12 years. While we have a beautiful spacious facility with state of the art equipment, our pride is in the individual attention that we can provide to our clients. Our therapists are committed to returning people to our community and their lifestyle. Our satisfaction outcome for multiple diagnoses is rated at 89.5 % by a national survey. 83.5% of low back pain patients reported a decrease in their pain following treatment.

Pam W. a patient with a severe injury to her hand recently wrote "I was seen at another clinic for 14 visits, being grouped with other patients and made minimal progress. When I switched to WHH Outpatient Center and worked individually with the Occupational therapist there I was able to fully bend my fingers within 3 visits."

If you or someone you know needs therapy: come in. Ask questions. Meet our therapists. Then make your choice. If we fit your needs you will be among our clients to report significant progress toward your goals. Winter Haven Hospital Outpatient Rehab Center 3425 Lake Alfred Road, Winter Haven 863-292-4060.