Your Rehabilitation Experience

We will partner with you to establish a relationship based on mutual respect and trust. This creates a care environment that is responsive to your needs, expectations and future goals. If there is anything we can do to enhance your stay, please let us know.

You and your family members are encouraged to ask questions. We will help you understand what to expect from your rehabilitation experience from the time you begin to the day you leave -- and in the months and years to follow.

You will be greeted by our admissions team who will make every effort to assign and get you settled into your room quickly.

Although we coordinate the many details of your transfer to Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) with your referring physician, case manager, insurance carrier and acute care hospital, we will still need to obtain some information and signatures from you or a designated family member. We will also provide you with important documents and information about your rights and responsibilities as a BSWIR patient.

Members of your treatment team will meet with you soon after your arrival to orient you to the rehabilitation process and familiarize you with our hospital campus, policies and programs.

Shortly after your arrival, you’ll meet a number of the team members who will help direct your care and treatment.

• You will be evaluated by a physician; physical, occupational and/or speech therapists; rehabilitation nurses; dietitians and others, as needed.
• Please inform your physician about any prescription or non-prescription medications you take regularly, including dosage, frequency and the condition for which it is prescribed. Please speak with your physician before bringing any medications from home into the hospital.
• A copy of your drug regimen from the referring hospital is provided to us upon admission. We will review it with you so everyone involved in your care clearly understands your needs. Your physician will prescribe and monitor any additional medications required during your stay.
• Based on your individual needs and rehabilitation goals, you will receive a detailed therapy schedule and information about equipment, recreational activities and other services available to you throughout your admission.
• You will meet your case manager who will help coordinate your stay and plan for your discharge. Your length of stay is determined by the rehabilitation team and based on your needs, goals and progress.
• Food and nutrition services will provide a menu of meal selections. Assistance will be provided to those with special dietary needs. (See “meeting your nutritional needs” below.)

Your care and safety are important. Please help us maintain a safe environment by following the guidelines posted throughout our hospital. These guidelines include:

• Asking a staff member for assistance when you need to get in or out of bed or a wheelchair, or use the bathroom.
• Making sure that anyone you come into contact with washes their hands before and after any interaction and/or uses the hand sanitizers located throughout our hospital.
• Having family and friends check with a nurse before bringing you food or beverages, in case there are dietary restrictions.

Please leave at home any valuables, jewelry, credit cards, checkbooks or large amounts of cash. If you need to have certain items available to you, speak with a member of your care team for more information.

• If you wear eyeglasses or a hearing aid, please place them in a marked container in the top drawer of your nightstand when not in use to avoid losing them. If you wear dentures, ask the nurse for a denture cup; never leave dentures wrapped in a tissue or on your meal tray. Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation is not responsible for loss or damage of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures or orthodontic equipment.
• Phone, television and internet service is provided free of charge.
• To keep your clothing and personal items clean, please set up a laundry schedule with family members or friends. Laundry services may be available through your BSWIR campus. Check with a staff member for more information.
  
  

The support of family and friends is important to the rehabilitation process and we encourage visitation. Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Parking at our hospital campuses is free.

During their hospital stay, patients have the right to receive visitors and designate who may or may not visit. This includes but is not limited to a spouse, domestic partner, other family members or friends. Visitation rights are not restricted, limited, or denied on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation or disability.

You may want to arrange visits around your therapy schedule, so that you can enjoy them freely. Family members and other visitors are not permitted in therapy gyms or treatment areas unless they have been specifically invited to participate in a training session.

All visitors must respect the privacy and rehabilitation needs of all patients. We do not permit more than two visitors in a room at one time. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Rehabilitation requires energy and effort so it’s important that your nutritional needs are being met.

Most patients choose their menu daily from a wide range of breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Based on your individual needs and preferences, our registered dietitians will help prepare an appropriate meal plan, including low- or no-sodium, low cholesterol, low calorie, or gluten-free options. Vegetarian, kosher, halal and other special diets can be accommodated. Recommendations for supplements, texture modifications and other adaptations will be made as warranted.

While family and friends are welcome to bring you meals and treats, ask them to first check with your nurse to make sure you have no dietary restrictions.

Many patients find their religion or cultural beliefs to be a great source of hope and healing, particularly at this time. To help meet these needs, we offer many non-denominational services and events. Please check with the recreation therapy department for details. In addition, your family's spiritual counselor is always welcome to meet with you during regular visiting hours.

Our recreation therapy department offers a wide range of activities to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being of our patients.

This includes, but is not limited to, creative arts, gardening, music and dance, board games and puzzles, electronic gaming and cooking, as well as movie nights and holiday events. Adaptive sports, such as wheelchair basketball, tennis and softball, hand cycling, golf, power soccer and quad rugby are introduced. In addition, trips to local restaurants, stores, recreation areas, parks, theaters, museums and cultural events may be available to help in the transition to home and the community.

From the day you arrive at BSWIR, we begin planning and preparing you for discharge. Although your individual progress will determine the timing, it’s important to have the necessary information, resources and equipment in place.

Your case manager will work closely with you and your family to coordinate discharge home or, if warranted, to the next level of care. We will provide instructions about follow-up care and appointments, continuing therapy and prescriptions, as well as information about support groups and community resources.

Discharge is scheduled for 10 a.m. Please discuss arrangements with your family and speak with our nursing supervisor if alternate plans are needed.