Sarasota Memorial Rehabilitation Services
Sarasota Memorial Rehabilitation Services
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System offers a comprehensive, patient-focused rehabilitation continuum of care to meet the medical, rehabilitation and mobility needs of patients recovering from an illness or injury.
Patients can experience smooth transitions along the entire continuum as they may move from hospitalization to outpatient care. Those recovering from brain and spinal-cord injuries, stroke and other neurological disorders, orthopedic/ musculoskeletal conditions, cancer and more are supported in finding the most appropriate, least restrictive level of care to meet their rehabilitative needs.
Our specialized services include:
- Inpatient Rehabilitation: Our nationally ranked inpatient rehabilitation hospital (also called an inpatient rehab facility, or IRF) is the only hospital-based inpatient rehabilitation program in Sarasota County with immediate access to consulting and emergency services if needed. It consistently ranks among the nation’s best rehab hospitals on lists compiled by U.S. News & World Report. All 60 private inpatient rehab rooms are located in the state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Pavilion on the Sarasota Memorial Hospital-Sarasota Campus
- Skilled Nursing: Sarasota Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides nationally recognized short-term rehabilitation and long-term care for older adults (age 55+) at the 120-bed skilled nursing facility (also known as a SNF) conveniently located off of Clark Road, near I-75.
For admissions and referrals or general questions for Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, please call 941-917-6197.
- Outpatient Rehabilitation: Throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties, there are multiple locations that offer a full spectrum of outpatient rehabilitation services, customized to meet the needs of the patient. Many of our clinics are unique in offering multi-disciplinary care for patients requiring a combination of physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy services. Several specialized rehab programs are also available for patients with certain diagnoses such as head and neck cancer, oncology, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and other neurological disorders.
- Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Sarasota Memorial is designed to improve the health and quality of life of people living with heart, lung and vascular disease, and to help those managing chronic diseases. Cardiopulmonary Rehab is offered at three distinct locations, and plans often include trainer-led exercise at HealthFit, Sarasota Memorial's medically integrated fitness center, or participation in the Ornish Program for reversing heart disease.
- Acute Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services are offered for patients admitted at either SMH-Sarasota or SMH-Venice hospitals. In addition, mobility technicians work with nursing and therapy throughout a patient’s stay to promote mobility and functional capacity.
- Home Health Care: Facilitated by BayCare Health System, our home health nurses and care teams are available to help patients manage serious or chronic medical conditions at home or in an assisted living facility in the community.
- Learn More: For more information to connect with local rehabilitation services or for help with physician referrals, please call 941-917-1385.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Services
Our 60-bed, hospital-based inpatient rehabilitation facility is a distinct part of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and provides comprehensive rehabilitative care. We are located in the Rehabilitation Pavilion directly connected to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, allowing access to valuable resources such as the laboratory, radiology, and pharmacy, plus specialty and emergency services. All services are available onsite which provides timely results in developing your individualized plan of care.
Patients are involved in an active rehab program requiring a minimum of three hours of therapy five days per week, or 15 hours in one week. Our goal is to provide the best quality of rehabilitative care available by restoring or improving mobility and function.
Why Choose Sarasota Memorial Inpatient Rehabilitation?
- Sarasota Memorial offers the only hospital-based Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) in Sarasota County:
- Providing patients with immediate access to clinical tests, procedures, specialists, urgent or emergent care
- Providing physicians and the care team with full access to your acute medical records to provide a seamless transition of care.
- Sarasota Memorial Inpatient Rehabilitation is a destination rehabilitation program and accepts patients from all over the world. Our Admission Team will work with you to ensure your payment is covered through insurance and coordinate transportation requirements.
- U.S. News & World Report ranked our program number 31st in the nation out of over 1,000 rehabilitation hospitals. Sarasota Memorial has the only nationally ranked rehab hospital on the west coast of Florida.
- The care team includes full-time, Board-certified physiatrists with office visits available for transition of care needs after discharge.
- We staff with low patient to nurse ratios, allowing more time with each patient.
- Patients can expect one-to-one therapy sessions for a minimum of three hours per day five days per week, or 15 hours per week.
- Readmissions to the acute hospital are lower than the national benchmark.
Admission Criteria
Patients eligible for inpatient rehabilitation should have the ability to tolerate 3 hours of therapy per day (spread over the entire day), or 15 hours per week.
The most common medical conditions seen in patients we serve include:
- Stroke
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputation
- Major Multiple Trauma
- Fracture of Femur (Hip Fracture)
- Brain Injury
- Neurological Disorders including Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Polyneuropathy, and Muscular Dystrophy
- Severe or Advanced Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease
- Hip or Knee Replacement partnered with another chronic condition or other specific criteria
- Cancer diagnoses
- Post-surgical Cardiac diagnoses
What professionals make up the interdisciplinary team overseeing your care?
- Board-Certified Physiatrists
- Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and/ or Speech Language Pathologists
- Physical Therapy Assistants, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
- Physician Assistants & Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
- 24-hour Rehab Registered Nurses, with specialized training or experience in rehabilitation
- Case Managers
- Licensed Clinical Social Workers
- Patient Care & Multi-Skill Technicians
- Rehabilitation Technicians
- Admissions Liaisons
- Pharmacists
Together, with the entire rehab team, you will be involved in setting your goals that will meet your needs and support your discharge to home.
Other Patient Programs
Peer Mentors: Peer mentors are partnered with particular inpatient rehab patients because they share a diagnosis or similar story that led to disability or illness. They come to meet with the patient directly while they are admitted to the hospital. The role of peer mentors is to meet with patients, families, and caregivers, share their stories, answer questions, and provide information on what resources related to their condition are available in the community after discharge. The peer mentor programs at SMH Inpatient Rehab include:
- Aphasia- Peer mentors are actively involved in the local Suncoast Aphasia Support Group
- Amputee- Peer mentors are partnered through Orthotic and Prosthetic Centers of Florida (OPC)
- Spinal Cord Injury or other conditions that affect mobility- Peer mentors focus on mobility and assist patients with wearing a brace, newly requiring a wheelchair, and more. They help empower people of all backgrounds to maximize independence and function.
Pet Therapy: The pet therapy program at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System originated on the inpatient rehab unit more than 20 years ago in 1997. The goal of the program is to provide support and good cheer for those recovering from complex conditions who might be in the hospital for several weeks. Sarasota Memorial Inpatient Rehab continues to have a dedicated pet therapy volunteer to visit patients on a weekly basis.
2023 Inpatient Rehabilitation Patient Reports
- All patient population
- Stroke patient population
- Cardiac patient population
- Orthopedic patient population