Posted On: April 22, 2025
When choosing the appropriate care for loved ones, people tend to be familiar with the services offered by hospitals, home health agencies, and even skilled nursing facilities. However,
there is another level of care available that may not be top of mind — inpatient rehabilitation facilities, also known as IRFs.
IRFs offer care at the highest level of physical rehabilitation a patient can receive, but with a more intensive level of physical and medical rehabilitation than a skilled nursing facility. IRFs offer a multi-disciplinary approach with physician oversight to properly manage medical issues so patients can maximize recovery and return to their homes functioning at their best capacity.
IRFs provide intensive therapy to people who have suffered a disabling injury or disease. The multi- disciplinary team includes physicians, rehabilitation nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, respiratory therapists, wound care specialists, and case managers/social workers, among others. The team utilizes a collaborative approach customized for each patient’s needs with each caregiver providing specialized expertise.
Patients who benefit from IRFs include those who have suffered from or have a comorbidity of:
- stroke
- traumatic brain injury
- non-traumatic brain injury (example: encephalopathy) • spinal cord injury
- work-related injury
- major multiple trauma
- neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, guillain barre or parkinson’s
- cardiac conditions such as heart attack, chf and heart disease
- pulmonary conditions such as copd
- orthopaedic conditions such as amputations, fractures, joint replacements
- post-spinal surgery
- generalized debility from an injury or illness which has led to a decrease in ability to function
If you have family, friends, or know of someone in your community or workplace who may be faced with a disabling injury or disease, take time to share information about IRFs and the role it plays in recovery. SMC’s Inpatient Rehab Center is located on the second floor of the main hospital and was recently recognized as Alabama’s No. 1 hospital-based rehab facility and the No. 2 facility in Alabama overall. This Newsweek annual ranking of America’s Best Physical Rehabilitation Centers is the result of an elaborate process recognizing only the top 300 facilities in the country. In addition, SMC's Inpatient Rehab Center. has met the rigorous standards CARF accreditation, which assures patients the highest standard of quality and safety.