At Vista Health, we understand nothing comes easy for people in rehabilitation. In our rehab programs, we provide state-of-the-art, goal-oriented care aimed at restoring normal function. We respond with skill, understanding and a genuine sensitivity to personal and family concerns.

Rehabilitation Options
Depending on your specific needs, your physician may request rehabilitation in one or more of the following disciplines:

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Cardiac & Pulmonary Rehabilitation
This program combines education and exercise to help participants better cope with their respiratory impairment. The program's multidisciplinary team utilizes education, respiratory therapy and exercise to help those with chronic pulmonary disease such as emphysema, chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis or bronchiectasis. We also offer a unique program called "Asthma-Wise." This is an educational program for adults and children with asthma. It teaches practical day-to-day disease management techniques, while reinforcing physician advice and instructions.

Vista Health Respiratory Care Services program includes: diagnostic testing, respiratory monitoring, therapeutics, home oxygen referrals and life support. These services are available to all age groups, 24 hours a day.

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Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Independent orthopedic physicians manage patient treatment for a variety of orthopedic injuries and illnesses. Patients benefit from individualized rehabilitation options designed to enhance patient comfort and expedite recovery. A multidisciplinary team of physical and occupational therapists, nurses, dietitians, and social workers at both hospitals, work together to carry out recommended treatments during and after the patient's hospital stay.

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Physical Therapy
Physical therapists are licensed medical professionals who treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. They administer treatment through exercise and other conservative approaches to relieve pain, improve strength and conditioning, and increase mobility. With a focus on patient education, preventive measures and self-management skills, physical therapists are always concerned with improving overall health and functional abilities.

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Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists are licensed medical professionals who also work with many different types of patients, to increase the level of independence in daily activities. Through the use of specialized equipment, customized exercises and other tasks, the patient receives assistance to regain the ability to safely perform routine daily skills, such as dressing, bathing, cooking and other homemaking tasks. Occupational therapists also are involved in training and analyzing abilities to help some people return to work. Occupational therapists strive to restore a person to the greatest possible level of independence on the job site or at home.

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Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists (also called speech therapists) are licensed medical professionals who treat patients with communication, cognition, or swallowing difficulties after an illness or injury. Treatment can occur in the hospital, at outpatient clinics, or in the home. The primary goal of treatment is to help the patient regain the ability to speak, understand others, remember information, and eat safely. Speech pathologists also assist children with developmental speech or language disorders.

We give people in difficult situations a chance to keep going. The results can be extraordinary.

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Vista Health System's Rehabilitative Services
Helping Patients Achieve Their Highest Potential

At Vista Health System, licensed Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists help patients who have experienced an injury, stroke or some other medical problem regain strength and function. These same services are available on an outpatient basis at Vista Physical Medicine (Gurnee) (847.599.0400) and Vista Surgery Center (Lindenhurst) (847.356.4750).

Working together in teams with the family and the patient's physician, our therapy professionals develop individualized and practical treatment plans. Written progress updates, family conferences and post-discharge follow-up are all part of the process to determine the best course of therapy for each patient.

Physical therapy can speed healing and reduce pain through exercise and other treatments. Speech therapists teach patients to speak and interpret language correctly or to swallow food safely. Occupational therapists assist patients with resuming many of life's daily tasks and self-care activities.

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Inpatient Rehabilitation
Goal-Oriented Therapy Helps Patients Maximize Their Potential

Our 25-bed Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Vista Medical Center (VMC) West is the only one of its kind in the area. It provides 24-hour, 7-day-a-week physician medical management and 24-hour rehabilitation nursing care along with comprehensive therapy services in a home-like environment. Patients and their family work closely with our rehabilitation staff to regain vital skills in order to return home and enjoy their independence. Helping individuals regain control of their life is one of our primary goals. Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Outcomes & Patient Satisfaction
In 2007, the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Vista Medical Center West served 450 patients.We cared for patients with the following diagnoses:

* Other conditions consisted of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
pulmonary conditions, pain syndrome, major multiple trauma without brain
or spinal cord injury, Guillain Barre, and other disabling conditions.

The average age of our patients was 71 years.

38% of patients we served were male and 62% were female.

The average length of stay was 12.2 days.

74.2% of our patients were discharged to home.  The remainder went to an extended care facility or to an acute care facility for further medical care.

Comparison of 2007 data between our unit and the national average for other inpatient rehabilitation units revealed that our patients were slightly healthier than average by the time they were discharged.

Regular rounding by management with patients and families reveals a high level of satisfaction with the care provided on our unit.

Ethical Standards
Our Rehabilitation Services department is guided by a set of core values and ethical standards in fulfilling its mission:

We ask that you assist us in assessing our unit’s on-going performance and let us know how we can better meet your needs.  Please contact our Program Director at 847-360-2536 or e-mail at any time with feedback.

We are committed to providing service in an ethical manner.  Referral sources, persons served, families, friends, caregivers, and the community have the right to respectful, considerate care from all team members, at all times and in all circumstances.  Vista Heath has an active Ethics committee to address allegations of unethical conduct. 

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Outpatient Rehabilitation
Success Stories…One Patient At A Time

Located off-site in nearby Gurnee and Lindenhurst, Vista Physical Medicine and Vista Surgery Center serve as the outpatient rehabilitation department for both Vista Medical Center East and Vista Medical Center West. With 5,500 square feet, Vista Physical Medicine is open six days per week. Our Lindenhurst facility provides services Monday through Friday. These modern facilities are designed and staffed to provide physical, occupational and speech therapy services. Therapists educate patients on how to continue their recovery at home and provide ongoing treatment to promote healing and independent function. For further information on outpatient rehabilitative services at Vista Health System, call 847.599.0400 (Gurnee) or 847.356.4750 (Lindenhurst).

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Work Power Center
Injury Prevention and Treatment Services

Located off-site in nearby Gurnee, the Vista Work Power Center provides injury prevention and treatment services. Beyond injury rehabilitation and general body conditioning, our 7200 square foot facility allows a job simulation set-up to match the activity of virtually any job task. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, vocational specialist and a consulting social worker and include:

• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Work Hardening
• Work Conditioning
• Job Site Work Hardening
• Back/Upper Extremity Education
• Ergonomics
• Job Analysis
• Fitness for Duty Evaluation

For more information, call 847.599.9770.

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