By Jacqueline Eaton, TPM, The Healthcare Resort of Topeka, KS
HCR of Topeka partnered with the preferred Home Health Agency (HHA) in our community to create better clinical collaboration when patients are finishing their home health services, but continue to have outpatient therapy needs.
Many of the patients seen by the local home health agency reside in an Independent Living Facility (ILF) in our area. In an effort to ensure a smooth transition, the HHA requests outpatient therapy orders once the home health service is ending. Upon receipt of these orders, we schedule the patients for an evaluation at our therapy gym. Some patients will benefit from therapy services provided in their home and community, and we schedule the patient for the service location that will optimize their individualized treatment plan.
We also provide support to the local ILF by providing general education and training to the administration and the Thrive-at-Home representative to ensure optimal wellness programming for ILF residents and to offer our services for PT, OT, and SLP consultation when it is clinically indicated. We collaborate with the HHA, Thrive-at-Home, and the local ILF to offer Health Fairs and balance clinics on a regular basis. When patients are referred for outpatient therapy services, our Rehab Tech works with the patients and/or their caregivers to assist with the outpatient paperwork process, ensure all orders are in place, and assist with information gathering prior to scheduling their evaluations. The Rehab Tech also provides administrative support for ensuring physicians have properly certified the plans of care in accordance with policy. This support from the Rehab Tech allows for a more streamlined and efficient process for the evaluation and therapy services.
Our outpatient program is currently offering PT and OT therapy specializing in cardiac recovery training, pain management, and strengthening, and we are in the process of starting a seating and positioning clinic. Based on the needs of the patients in our community, we plan to hire an SLP to offer outpatient services for communication disorders, swallow dysfunction, as well as cognitive impairment and dementia.
These are just a few of our AMAZing therapists here at the Healthcare Resort of Topeka.