YOUR ARRIVAL
We are eager to help you begin the next phase of your recovery and to
make your stay as productive and rewarding as possible. Keep in
mind that a stay in a rehabilitation hospital is very different from a
stay in an acute care hospital, where you are expected to spend time in
your room for ongoing medical management of your condition.
Recovery at a rehabilitation hospital, however, is an active process
that involves getting out of bed and moving about the hospital as soon
as possible. Tips for what to pack (below) include recommendations
for comfortable exercise clothes.
If you are transferring here from another hospital, your case manager or
social worker at your acute care hospital will coordinate with you, a
relative or friend to arrange transfer to Bryn Mawr Rehab
Hospital. Transportation generally is by ambulance and you will
arrive first at the Admissions Department. We suggest that a
relative or friend accompany you to assist with admission and to spend
at least half a day with you.
Upon your arrival, one of our admissions representatives will welcome
you, begin processing your admission, and begin orienting you to our
facility so you will know your way around during your stay. It is
very important that you bring your insurance identification cards with
you. We will photocopy them so we can process your insurance
claims.
For identification purposes, we will issue you a wrist band at the time
of your admission. We ask that you wear it at all times. On
your first day, you and your companion will also have the opportunity to
meet members of your rehabilitation team and gain some initial insights
into your treatment program.
ROOM ASSIGNMENT
Room assignments are based upon medical and equipment needs, infection
control issues and roommate compatibility. Although we will make
every attempt to ensure your comfort and privacy, private rooms are
limited and can only be assigned when medically necessary.
WHAT TO BRING
Because your rehabilitation program will frequently focus on therapy in
the form of exercise and mobility training and because we want you to
feel like yourself, you should plan to wear your own comfortable clothes
during your stay. Bring clothes that are loose and allow freedom
of movement; in general, sweat suits or exercise clothes are best.
Your clothes should be washable, since you will be responsible for your
own laundry. Your family can take your clothes home or wash them
here; your nurse will tell you about the laundry facilities. We
ask that you mark your clothes with your name so they don't get lost.
For your convenience, we are providing a suggested list of items to
bring with you. The number of articles you need should be based on
your estimated length of stay and your level of function. But
since you will be doing your laundry, a general guideline would be to
bring a week's supply.
Toilet articles, cosmetics, shaving supplies
-
Underwear
-
Socks
-
Pajamas
-
Bathrobe
-
Exercise clothes
-
At least one sweater
-
Bedroom slippers
-
At least one pair of sneakers or other low-heeled, rubber-soled
shoes for exercise
-
A coat during cold weather for car transfers
-
Any clothes that you may want for non-therapy hours
In addition to a list of medications you are currently taking, please
bring any special equipment or assistive devices including:
-
Wheelchairs
-
Crutches
-
Artificial limbs
-
Splints
-
Eyeglasses
-
Hearing aid
-
Dentures
-
Other assistive devices
Also, please do not bring hair dryers to the hospital. Each unit
is equipped with hair dryers for your use that have met our safety
standards.
VALUABLES
For security purposes, we caution you against bringing items of monetary
or sentimental value. We also ask that you not keep more than $20 with
you. We can store valuables temporarily in our safe, but we
request that you send them home as soon as possible. For your
peace of mind, we request that you do not have checks forwarded to you
here during your stay.
FAMILY PARTICIPATION
Your family's involvement in your care can provide encouragement
throughout your treatment program and can assure that your
rehabilitation will continue after you are discharged. If distance
is a problem, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital offers on-site overnight
accommodations at The
Laurels Family Center for families of patients. For
reservation information, please call 484-596-5510.
Wireless internet access is available throughout the hospital to help
you and your family keep in touch with work, family and friends on your
personal laptop computer. If you have any questions prior to your
arrival, please call our Admissions Department at 484-596-6000.