The Skilled Medical Rehabilitation Center at Florida Institute for Neurologic Rehabilitation, (SMRC) is designed to treat individuals 21 years of age and older who are no longer in need of acute hospital care but continue to be medically dependent.
Sub-Acute Program Overview
The Skilled Medical Rehabilitation Center (SMRC) is a modern, state of the art 25-bed facility located at Lakeside Neurologic. Skilled medical care is designed for patients 21 years of age and older who no longer need acute hospital care but remain medically dependent. The SMRC has the expertise to provide aggressive interdisciplinary care with high-intensity services to maximize rehabilitation potential with the goal of minimizing medical complications. The interdisciplinary treatment team meets regularly to discuss progress and needs for individual clients and modifies the treatment plan accordingly to optimize functional progress.
We are experienced in providing specialized rehabilitation services to adults whose decline in function is the result of:
- Joint Replacement or other Orthopedic Surgery
- General Surgery
- Cardio-Pulmonary Disease
- Sepsis/Infectious Disease Processes
- Wounds
- Metabolic Disorders and Renal Disease
- Central Nervous System Disease
- Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke)
- Encephalopathy
The Skilled Medical Rehabilitation Center is able to provide skilled medical care including:
- Sensory Stimulation
- Wound Care
- Infectious Disease Management
- Ventilator Weaning & Management
- IV/Infusion Therapy
- Continuous Tube Feeding
- Tracheostomy Care and Decannulation
- In-house Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
- Total Parenteral Nutrition
- Skilled Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
The medical staff consists of:
- Neurology
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Psychology
- Internal Medicine
- Orthopedic, Pulmonology and Wound Care Consultation Services as Needed
The clinical staff consists of:
- Respiratory Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech/Language Pathology
- Rehabilitation Nursing
- Dietary Services
- Neuropsychological Services
Additionally, Medical Case Management Services are provided by center staff members to include family education and support, communication with insurance carriers, and Discharge Planning.
Please refer to the Program Description and Criteria tabs for additional information.
Sub-Acute Program Description
The Skilled Medical Rehabilitation Center provides outcome-oriented, individualized care for patients with a wide range of complex medical needs.
Individuals who have undergone Orthopedic or Other General Surgery require intensive therapeutic intervention in the presence of appropriate post-surgical monitoring to ensure optimal outcomes and return to the desired level of function. These patients may benefit from:
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Physiatry or Internal Medicine monitoring
- Facilitation of follow-up appointments with hospital physicians as necessary
- Patient and family education and home assessment as needed to facilitate discharge
Patients who present with Cardio-Pulmonary Diseases, including Pneumonia, COPD, PostCOVID, History of Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack), and other diagnoses require specialized support to ensure the cardio-pulmonary system is supported while working on the patient’s ability to tolerate functional activities. These individuals may also require ventilator support, have experienced a period of respiratory distress or arrest, and/or require mechanical assistance to protect their airway and to maintain appropriate oxygen saturation levels. Our Respiratory Therapy Program can be of benefit to patients with these diagnoses. If the individual has been on a ventilator for an extended period, a tracheotomy will have been performed for more efficient suctioning and oxygen delivery. These individuals may benefit from such services as:
- Respiratory therapy services
- Suctioning
- Ventilator weaning
- Pulmonology consultation
- Tracheostomy care and decannulation
- Dysphagia management including an Endoscopic Swallowing Evaluation
Individuals who have Infectious Processes causing fever, chest congestion, or Sepsis will require careful monitoring of their medical condition. These issues are often found in individuals who have had extended hospital stays with multiple procedures. These individuals can benefit from such services as:
- Infectious disease physician consultation
- Continuous infusion intravenous medication
- PICC or Central line management
- Antibiotic management
- Isolation room – can accommodate the need for negative air pressure
Individuals who have had surgery or multiple medical complications often suffer from Skin Breakdown leading to Wounds that require specialized management. Skin integrity management is a priority for all our patients. SMRC utilizes a team approach to skin integrity management and wound healing, including physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, respiratory therapists, and dieticians. These individuals can benefit from wound care services such as:
- Specialized pressure relieving mattresses
- Specialty support surfaces for beds and wheelchairs
- Tissue debridement
- Specialty dressings
- Vacuum Assisted Closure
- Up and down schedule to reduce pressure on wounds
Endocrine and Metabolic Process Disorders, including Renal (Kidney) Disease, Diabetes, and others are common causes of medical decline and can result in altered mental status and other problems. These processes must be adequately managed to help the individual recover fully and to reduce the likelihood of a future event. These individuals can benefit from services such as:
- Endocrinology consultation services
- Oncology services
- Peritoneal dialysis
- Hemodialysis
- Insulin management
- Electrolyte management
Patients experiencing Central Nervous System Disease, including Cerebrovascular Accident (stroke), Anoxic Injury (lack of oxygen), Encephalopathy secondary to metabolic disorders or infectious disease process, and individuals following significant Traumatic Injury or Illness may demonstrate a decline in their level of alertness or cognitive functioning. These individuals may benefit from such services as:
- Multimodal sensory stimulation to encourage responses
- Neurology services
- Electroencephalogram to monitor brain activity
- Physical therapy to prevent or reduce contractures
- Occupational therapy to increase upper body flexibility
- Speech therapy services to provide oral motor stimulation
- Respiratory services to monitor oxygen saturation and ventilator settings
- Ventilator weaning
- Tracheostomy care and decannulation
- Emerging behavioral management issues
- Coma intervention
- Spasticity management including Botox injections, splinting and serial casting
In order to provide patients with the best possible therapeutic and environmental stimulation, SMRC incorporates various pieces of Specialty Equipment, in addition to the typical therapeutic modalities. SMRC is experienced in recommending specialty patient-specific equipment. This includes but is not limited to:
- Specialty beds: low beds, bariatric beds, wound care surfaces
- Continuous passive motion machines
- Mechanical lifts and shower chairs
- Tilt table and Standing Frames
- Body Weight Support Gait Training Systems
- Recliner chairs, high-back wheelchairs, tilt-in space wheelchairs
The comprehensive treatment team at SMRC continually assesses the patient’s progress and needs to implement adjustments consistent with medical/functional status changes. Upon achieving stable medical recovery, and when appropriate, there is an interdisciplinary treatment team evaluation for transition to a lower level of care, such as home or Long-Term Care. The SMRC team is able to facilitate Discharge Planning including scheduling physician follow-up appointments, arranging for Home Health Care and Durable Medical Equipment, and providing access to community resources post-discharge. The Skilled Medical Rehabilitation Center has experience providing the services listed above, as well as other services that individuals suffering from medical impairment may need – progressing throughout the continuum of care in order to participate in more intensive rehabilitation services.
Sub-Acute Admission Process
Patients are referred to SMRC at Lakeside Neurologic on a national level. Individuals are qualified for admission individually on a clinical, medical and financial basis.
Family members and other concerned parties are encouraged to tour the program, if possible, prior to admission in order to make informed placement decisions.
The Admissions Department is available to assist all concerned parties with any questions. For assistance in making a referral, please call (888) 824-3467 and ask to speak to a Referral Coordinator.
Sub-Acute Admission Criteria
- Joint Replacement or other Orthopedic Surgery
- General Surgery
- Cardio-Pulmonary Disease
- Sepsis/Infectious Disease Processes
- Wounds
- Metabolic Disorders and Renal Disease
- Central Nervous System Disease
- Cerebrovascular Accidents (Stroke)
- Encephalopathy
- Medically stable
- Reasonably expected to benefit from rehabilitation
- 21 years of age and above