Medical rehabilitation focuses on improving or restoring functional independence for individuals with disabilities resulting from injury, illness or a medical condition.

Medical rehabilitation is provided at all levels of the health care continuum, including general acute-care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), skilled-nursing facilities, long-term-care hospitals, outpatient programs and home health agencies. Services may range from coordinated interdisciplinary programs to individual therapy disciplines.

IRFs are hospital-based units or freestanding hospitals that provide comprehensive rehabilitation services. IRF patients receive intensive therapy in coordinated programs from a comprehensive interdisciplinary team of licensed professionals, including rehabilitation physicians, nursing personnel, occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, respiratory therapists, recreation therapists, dieticians, case managers, medical social workers and others. The focus of rehabilitation is to facilitate independence in daily activities, most often allowing the individual to return to a community setting.

CHA’s Center for Medical Rehabilitation Services represents hospital-based medical rehabilitation facilities, and provides membership support and legislative and regulatory advocacy.