Infirmary Health’s Inpatient Therapy Services offer a range of rehabilitation
interventions including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Patients
may benefit from therapy services after a surgery, stroke, heart attack,
fall, chronic conditions, or other issues causing generalized weakness.
While an inpatient at one of our facilities, our therapists develop a
specialized treatment plan intended to get the patient back to being as
healthy and independent as possible. Our therapists treat patients in
all areas of our facilities including neonatal, ICU, cardiac, orthopedic,
neurological, and senior behavioral health units. With an interdisciplinary
team approach, we strive to optimize our patients’ recovery during
their stay and to assist in a safe and beneficial discharge plan.
Acute rehabilitation
Acute rehabilitation is provided in Mobile County at Mobile Infirmary,
Infirmary Long-Term Acute Care Hospital, and J.L. Bedsole / Rotary Rehabilitation
Hospital (located inside Mobile Infirmary). It is also available in Baldwin
County at Thomas Hospital, Colony Rehabilitation Hospital (located on
the third floor of Thomas Hospital), and North Baldwin Infirmary.
Physical Therapy
The goal of physical therapy is to help patients relieve pain and inflammation
while improving strength, balance, and functional independence. As movement
experts, physical therapists utilize hands-on care, prescribed exercise,
and patient education to relieve physical impairments and improve quality
of life. Our therapists work closely with physicians to optimize our patients’
recovery. This includes taking a lead role in the early mobility program
in the ICUs and evaluating most patients day-of surgery after undergoing
a spine or total joint replacement surgery.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy addresses a patient's meaningful occupations when
they are unable to fully participate due to weakness or an injury. These
include self-care activities of daily living (ADLs), such as toileting,
grooming, dressing, eating, bathing, shower transfers, and toilet transfers.
An occupational therapist may address decreased ADLs with treatments that
include muscle strengthening, endurance training, balance activities,
ADL training, and transfer training.
Speech Language Pathology
Speech Therapy is part of the recovery process following an injury or illness
to help patients with the ability to communicate with their family and
friends. A speech therapist will evaluate the patient’s memory,
problem solving, judgement, and other areas of cognition in order to make
sure they are safe to return home and maintain independence. A speech
therapist will also review how patients eat and drink by assessing their
ability to swallow food and liquids safely.