Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)     "I can’t imagine what would have happened with mother if it were not for Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center. Thank you for your house of healing." After an accident or illness, returning to your home in optimal physical condition is of primary importance. Rehabilitation takes different forms for every individual. The goals set by you and your doctor may be independence in ambulation whether it is walking with a cane, or using a manual or power wheelchair. Or your goal may be to relearn your abilities of daily living such as grooming, self care, cooking, driving, communication skills, or even returning to work or school. What ever your goal and capabilities may be, we will provide you with every opportunity for achieving your highest potential!     "You gave me hope and in therapy... taught me the techniques that made hope a reality!" Take advantage of our 30 years of service to the community, the expertise and caring nature of our 250 rehabilitation professionals and our dedication to healing for you or one you love. To maximize your recovery and rehabilitation from a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedic or neuromuscular disability call the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center at (865) 541-1446. The admissions office in coordination with the rehab physicians will evaluate your medical status, pre-certify your insurance, and assist in arranging your transfer to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center. How big is your facility and where is it located? Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center (PNRC) is a 73-bed comprehensive rehabilitation facility with 28 beds on 4 west and 44 beds, plus the independent living apartment on 4 east. Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center is located in the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center (1901 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916), a 541 bed acute care hospital with 24 transitional care beds, and is a member of Covenant Health. How are patients admitted to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center? On the day of admission, the patient needs to bring a family member to assist with check in. The patient is brought directly to the rehab nursing floor where our admissions office is notified to admit them. The family member will need to bring insurance cards and information and plan on spending time with the case manager, rehabilitation physician, and nurse on that day. What types of patient diagnoses are treated? Children and adults who have sustained traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury or disease, spinal cord injuries, stroke, orthopedic problems and joint replacements, multiple trauma, neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc, and patients who experience debilitation following surgery, oncology treatments, and extended hospitalization. What type of services and therapy are offered? PNRC offers multiple disciplinary services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, behavioral medicine (psychology) therapy, recreation therapy, case management, rehabilitation nurses, educators and physicians, whose medical speciality is Physiatry. Can my loved one's special medical problems be treated while they are patients at PNRC? Yes, many of our patients have pre-existing medical problems like diabetes or high blood pressure, or are on blood thinning medications, or have feeding or breathing tubes and other respiratory complications. Treatment of these and other complicating medical conditions are coordinated by our rehab doctors who work in accordance with the patient's specialists when needed. Our nursing staff is fully trained in all general medical conditions, with advanced specialization in rehabilitation nursing. Due to the location of PNRC, inside the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, all services of a medical/surgical hospital are available. What is the patient to staff ratio? The nursing to patient ratio during the day shift is typically one licensed staff per six-eight patients. In therapy, each therapist has six to seven patients on his/her daily team. Therapy is provided on a 1:1 basis as well as in groups. What should the patient bring to rehab? Personal items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving equipment, deodorant, comb, brush, make-up, hair dryers, pictures of family, etc. Clothing should include, loose-fitting items, sweatsuits, shirts, slacks, shorts, socks, underwear, comfortable shoes with supports, swim suit, sweaters/jackets according to the season. Space is limited however. Labeling clothing with the patient's name is helpful. A small amount of money may come in handy to buy snacks and miscellaneous items during the patient's stay. The nurse will be able to assist with valuables, but large amounts of money, credit cards and expensive jewelry are discouraged. Firearms are prohibited in the hospital. When are visiting hours? Visiting hours revolve around the patient's therapy schedule. Family members are strongly encouraged to attend therapy with the patient as well a visit frequently. The Pediatric Program expects that one family member stay with the child. Family members are expected to come for education during treatment times Monday through Friday. Family training is required before any passes or therapeutic home visits are approved. Where can family and visitors park? Several parking lots are within walking distance of the hospital. Prices vary according to the location of the lot. Contact the case manager to find out how to secure month long parking passes if needed. On-street parking may also be found. Designated handicap parking is available. Telephone, television, mail, and flowers Telephones, and cable television are available in all patient rooms. Family and friends may reach the patient's room by dialing (865) 541-+ the patient's room number. Mail and flowers will be delivered daily to the patient's room. The mailing address is: Patient's name, Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, 1901 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37916. Is there a Chapel and Chaplain on duty? Your spiritual well being is important to your rehabilitation. All religions are respected with non-denominational devotion services held in the recreation room on the east-end of the fourth floor of Patricia Neal on Sunday morning at 1:00 p.m. and on Wednesday evenings at 4:00 p.m. Chaplains are in the hospital daily except on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. They can be reached by contacting the hospital operator. The hospital chapel and the chaplain's office are located on the hospital lobby level near the main entrance. What type of patient and family education is available? Education is a critical link in the rehabilitation process. It empowers individuals to attain maximum function, independence, and a sense of well being. During rehabilitation, learning takes place daily in individual or group settings, in both formal and informal sessions. Patients and their families are exposed to new information continually as they participate in therapies, share experiences with others, and speak individually with rehabilitation professionals. The following structured learning opportunities are available. Support Groups *Caregivers Support Group Call (865) 541-1443 to schedule a meeting time CVA Peer Visitation as needed, (865) 541-1208 SCI Peer Visitation as needed, (865) 541-2622 SCI Peer Support Network, (865) 541-1135 Educational classes are now available on closed circuit television, channel three, in the patient's room. Information sheets about how to access the classes are posted in each room. Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center opened in May of 1978. At that time, it was the only rehabilitation center in the state. Since then, PNRC has served tens of thousands of inpatients and outpatients. PNRC and acute medical facilities have always enjoyed a strong relationship with in the rehabilitation of patients who have sustained spinal cord and brain injuries as well as those who have experienced stroke, orthopedic joint replacement, and amputation. The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center Differences FIM/UDS Data outcomes are better than the national average with more patients returned to their home setting High level of patient satisfaction Experienced, caring staff with advanced education including CRRN (Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse) certification for nursing staff, NDT (Neuro-developmental Training). APTA (clinical specialist) certified through the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association), ATP (Assistive Technology Practitioner) certified through RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America), and other speciality training Board Certified/Board Eligible physiatrists, with an additional 350 physicians at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center State of the art equipment and treatments such as the LiteGate supported ambulation system, Dyna Vision, augmentative communication training, computerized pressure mapping, serial casting, and phenol trigger point blocks Unique Rooftop Therapy Park promoting better patient adjustment and preparedness for discharge, and enhancing positive attitude for faster recovery Speciality programs and services in addition to traditional therapies including Brain Injury Day Treatment, BellSouth Life Skills Communications Center, home evaluations, apartment trials, Seating and Mobility Clinic, Adaptive Driving, animal assisted therapy, Spinal Cord Clinic, Innovative Recreation Cooperative, and Brain Injury Community Service Coordination Project Full continuum of care through the Covenant Health system from inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, to transitional care or long-term care, to home health, community re-entry, and community support Accredited by CARF (The Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission) in Comprehensive Integrated Inpatient Rehab Programs for adults and children, Spinal Cord System of Care, Brain Injury Program, Medical Rehabilitation Case Management, and Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation. Fort Sanders' accreditation is by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations JCAHO, is Triple Accredited in Stroke Specialty Programs, and is a member of Voluntary Hospitals of America and American Hospital Association Nurse liaisons available to assess patients in one business day Internal case managers working closely with patient, family, payers, and physicians to ensure optimal level of care and treatment at the lowest practical cost Multiple outpatient therapy locations in East Tennessee Patient's care returned to referring physician at discharge with updates concerning patient's recovery