Rehabilitation strives to improve quality of life through improved physical functioning and greater independence. In rehabilitation, there are several different levels of services that one may participate in.

Acute Rehabilitation: This level of service is provided in a rehabilitation hospital. These facilities are licensed to provide the most comprehensive of rehabilitative services to individuals for the alleviation of the disabling effects of illness and injury. Comprehensive rehabilitative services are a coordinated delivery of care by many disciplines that include physicians, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social work, and case management to achieve the goal of maximizing the independence of an individual. Guidelines for acute rehabilitation allow for 15 hours of therapy per week.

Subacute Rehabilitation: This level of service is provided in a skilled nursing facility. Skilled nursing facilities are licensed to provide long term care as well as short term rehabilitation. For those individuals needing rehabilitation, therapy services are commonly offered 3-5 days per week, and less than 3 hours per day. For placement in a subacute unit, one must have a skilled need defined as “care that can only be provided by a licensed professional.” Many individuals need this level of care for reasons other than rehabilitation (i.e. wound care, dressing changes, diabetic teaching, or long term intravenous antibiotic therapy).

Outpatient Rehabilitation: This level of service is provided in a hospital, clinic, or gym setting. Patients travel to these sites to receive specific therapies for a given number of days. A physician prescribes all therapies provided.

All information provided has been obtained through the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the New Jersey State Licensing Standards for Rehabilitation Hospitals.