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New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network

 

Acute Rehabilitation Unit at Syracuse VA Medical Center

Leaving the Rehab Unit

If you need to leave the rehab unit for something other than a scheduled therapy or medical appointment, you must receive approval from a nurse and sign out in the logbook at the nurses’ station.

Therapeutic leaves of absence (TLOA) may be granted for a day or overnight. These authorized passes are granted just prior to your discharge from the rehab unit. Passes will only be given:
  • when you are medically stable
  • when your family/caregiver have completed appropriate training and education
  • on weekends or holidays
You are expected to attend all scheduled therapy and medical appointments. If you choose to leave the unit during these times, it may result in being discontinued from the rehab program.

As a result of not participating in or leaving before the completion of your rehab program, you may be given an irregular or against medical advice discharge.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the rehab unit or within the hospital.

Smoking is only permitted on the patio located on the ground floor from 6:00am -10:00pm. The rehab physician must give you permission to go to the smoking patio by yourself or with visitors.

If you are unable to travel to the smoking patio by yourself, a rehab team member may accompany you when available.

When going to the patio without a rehab team member, you may be asked to wear a flame-retardant protective garment that covers your shirt and lap.
Your Rehabilitation Team

Your team is unique to you. Which types of therapy you receive is determined by your needs and goals. As you go through your rehab program, you may also find that the types of services and intensity of your rehab may change. Please discuss any concerns you have about your treatment or discharge with the team.

Doctor meeting with family

Team Rounds

In the morning, Monday through Friday, the rehab physician, nurse manager, charge nurse, social worker and rehab coordinator will review your medical status, rehab program and discharge needs.

Team Meeting

One day per week, the entire rehab staff involved in your care will meet to review your case. At this time, the team will make recommendations about medical and therapy treatments, equipment, discharge needs and set a tentative date that you will be discharged from the rehab unit. Also at this meeting the team will determine if a family meeting, family training or therapeutic leaves of absence are needed.

The rehab physician will discuss the outcome of this meeting with you.

The rehab physician will see you every day and is responsible for your medical care and coordination of your rehabilitation program. A rehab physician is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Syracuse VA Medical Center

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