Rehabilitation Services

Newspaper Column

HSC Rehabilitation Program at HSC Medical Center joins thousands of rehabilitation providers this week to celebrate the powers of rehabilitation and the hope, achievement, and success it represents to our society.

Rehabilitation is a medical specialty which helps restore people affected by potentially disabling disease or traumatic injury to good health and functional, productive lives and also helps minimize physical or cognitive disabilities. Rehabilitation services typically include care by physiatrists (physicians specializing in rehabilitation); physical, occupational, and recreational therapists; speech and language pathologists; rehabilitation nurses; and other professionals.

Nearly 50 million Americans are disabled. Disability does not discriminate—every person is at risk of disability. Therefore, everyone is a potential candidate for rehabilitation. Statistics show that most Americans will require at least one rehabilitation service at some point in their lives.

Rehabilitation is an integral part of healthcare and a tremendous component in providing patients with positive outcomes. Such services can lengthen life, improve the quality of life and reduce subsequent illness. For every $1 spent on rehab care, it is estimated that $11 are saved on long-term disability costs. People participating in rehabilitation programs of care are often able to regain productivity and return to work, school and independent living. The independence gained or retained through rehabilitation is priceless!

At HSC Medical Center’s rehabilitation program, hundreds of patients have received rehab services since opening in 1999. Those patients required rehabilitation due to such illnesses and injuries as stroke, amputation, head and spinal cord injury, orthopedic conditions, neurological impairments, arthritis, multiple trauma, and other debilitating conditions. Over 80% of those patients served by HSC Rehabilitation Center were able to return to a home environment. Patient’s functional outcomes compare favorably with national standards and patient satisfaction measured in the highest percentile range possible.

Each year, during the third week of September, National Rehabilitation Week is observed by nearly 7000 rehab facilities and health and human services care providers. Please join me in recognizing the dedicated team of rehabilitation professionals at HSC Rehabilitation Center!

Ann Gasper is the Marketing Coordinator for HSC Rehabilitation Program, which is located on the first floor of HSC Medical Center.