The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Helping More Patients Regain Independence

Photo caption: Dr Andrew Hendrix, Medical Director of The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital, talks with patient Lawrence Johnson of Orland Park about his treatment plan and progress after spending 6 days in the inpatient rehabilitation unit.

By Tracy Simons | Silver Cross Hospital

Most of us know someone who has suffered a traumatic injury or significant loss of function due to stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, joint replacement or amputation. And usually the only thing on his or her mind is getting back home and regaining independence.

At Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, specialists with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) are helping more patients than ever before advance their ability and return home sooner. RIC has been ranked the No. 1 Rehabilitation Hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1991. The same specialized care that has earned RIC its pre-eminent reputation is available at Silver Cross.

According to the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association’s outcomes database, 79 percent of patients who recover on Silver Cross Hospital’s CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation unit are discharged home—not to a skilled nursing, assisted living or extended care facility. That is much higher than the regional average of 71 percent or even the U.S. average of 74 percent. Last year, RIC at Silver Cross’ 24-bed inpatient unit cared for over 521 patients—a 19 percent increase from 2012.

“Our patients typically spend 11 or 12 days on the rehab unit, says Dr. Andrew Hendrix, medical director of RIC at Silver Cross Hospital’s inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. “We develop a plan for each patient and then our team goes to work to make sure that the patient is ready for discharge.”

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At Silver Cross, inpatient rehabilitation services are provided by licensed specialists under the coordination of Dr. Hendrix or one of his physician colleagues. Each patient’s care is tailored to fit their needs and care plans are developed with the input of the patient, family, physician, and rehabilitation team. The team includes registered nurses; physical, occupational, speech, and recreational therapist; social workers and transitional care managers. Patients may also see a dietitian, respiratory therapist and behavioural health specialist to prepare for discharge.

“Although we are in a hospital, we do our best to simulate a home environment,” Dr. Hendrix says. “Each patient has their own spacious private room. And in our ability achievement center and kitchen, patients re-learn daily tasks and also to use appliances such as a washer, dryer, stove and microwave. We even have a car simulator so that patients can practice getting in and out of a vehicle.”

RIC at Silver Cross has also created an apartment environment for overnight training. This gives patients, family members and caregivers an opportunity to identify areas that require further assistance, education or practice before the patient leaves the inpatient rehabilitation environment.

Once the patient returns home, additional rehabilitation is often required. Patients have the option to come back to the hospital for outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy. RIC at Silver Cross also offers physical therapy in Silver Cross’ conveniently located buildings in Homer Glen, on Route 30 in New Lenox, and the west side of Joliet.

“Our goal is always to help our patients return to normal of activities of daily living, but we also want to make sure that throughout their recovery process we effectively and appropriately manage and reduce their pain,” says Dr. Hendrix.

In addition to being board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Dr. Hendrix specializes in pain management providing epidural injections and sympathetic blockades in Silver Cross’ state-of-the-art procedural care unit. He also sees patients in RIC at Silver Cross’ outpatient facility in Pavilion A on the hospital’s campus along with his partner, Dr. Michelle Muellner. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 300-2911.

To schedule an appointment for outpatient rehabilitation, call (815) 300-7110. A physician’s order is required. For information about how to be admitted to RIC at Silver Cross Hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation unit, call (815) 300-5971.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care. These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.