Two health care providers celebrated the completion of a new rehabilitation hospital that includes a specialized brain injury recovery unit unique in the Green Bay region.
Hospital Sisters Health System Rehabilitation Hospital at 140 S. Taylor St., in Howard, is a joint venture between Hospital Sisters Health System and Lifepoint Rehabilitation, a division of Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.
Community representatives joined officials from both organizations on July 16 to cut the ceremonial ribbon to formally open the new hospital. The staff expects to receive its first patients the week of July 20.
“It feels exciting after a lot of long days and hard work. We’re excited to get into our clinical roles and welcome that first patient,” said Megan Pfarr, CEO of the new HSHS Rehabilitation Hospital.
The new facility features private patient rooms and a range of amenities and spaces officials said will help patients get the most out of their therapy and treatment so they can return home adjusted and ready to do everyday things like getting in cars, navigating bathrooms and handling different terrains while walking.
Amenities in the hospital and surrounding grounds include private rooms, a 5,200-square-foot therapy gym complete with kitchen and laundry, an activities of daily living suite for patients preparing for discharge frm the hospital, an outdoor courtyard, a day room for recreation, a chapel and other treatment spaces.
Here’s what to know.
What is an inpatient rehabilitation hospital?
A hospital like Bellin Hospital or St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center provides what’s known as acute care when you sustain a serious injury or have a medical emergency. Some hospitals also provide or offer inpatient rehab services, but not all do.
Rehabilitation hospitals provide space for patients who no longer require acute care, but still need physical therapy and treatment before they can return home.
What kind of care and treatment will this rehabilitation hospital provide?
The hospital will provide acute rehab and recovery care for people who suffer from stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, complex neurological disorders, orthopedic conditions, multiple traumas, amputation, plus other injuries and disorders.
The hospital includes a 12-bed brain injury unit not currently found in the Green Bay area.
How many beds are in this new South Taylor Street hospital?
40
What will a typical patient’s stay involve?
Hospital officials said the average patient will receive about three hours of therapy spread out over the course of the day. The average patient stay will last 10 to 14 days.
The hospital will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and patients’ families can visit at any time.
New neurorecovery unit designed to help brain injury patients is unique in Green Bay area
One of the unique aspects included in the two-story hospital is a 12-bed neurorecovery unit designed for patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries like concussions, brain injuries related to things like strokes and medical conditions that affect the brain.
Russ Bailey, president of Lifepoint Rehabilitation, said the neurorecovery unit is a secure, low-stimulus environment that is a little more dimly lit and quieter since patients with brain injuries can affect senses like sight and hearing. The unit features its own therapy space and its own daytime activity room, again both with muted sensory inputs.
“Everything is conducive to a better recovery for them,” Bailey said.
New hospital will allow St. Vincent Hospital to repurpose former rehabilitation unit
HSHS until now has provided inpatient rehab services via a 20-bed unit in St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.
This new hospital in Howard not only doubles HSHS’ inpatient rehab unit, but will allow St. Vincent to convert the prior, 20-bed unit into space to support demand for acute care.
How many people will work at the new hospital?
Estimates are about 120
Does Rehabilitation Hospital include an emergency room?
No. Emergency rooms generally fall under acute care and will not be offered at Lifepoint’s hospital.
If you need an emergency room, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is a few blocks east of the new rehabilitation hospital at 1726 Shawano Ave.
How did we get here?
Contact business reporter Jeff Bollier at (920) 431-8387 or jbollier@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X at @JeffBollier.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: New Green Bay rehab hospital includes region’s first brain injury unit
Reporting by Jeff Bollier, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeff Bollier, Green Bay Press-Gazette | USA TODAY Network
