Inpatient Rehabilitation

Inpatient Rehabilitation Program at MCMC Awarded Re-Accreditation by CARF

MCMC is one of only three accredited adult medical inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Oregon, and the only one in the Gorge.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation program has once again has earned a three-year, full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an independent nonprofit that accredits rehab programs in the U.S. and around the world. Accreditation means MCMC meets the most rigorous international standards, so Gorge patients do not have to travel to Portland for the highest quality treatment.

“The experience of being cared for at a large hospital for a traumatic illness or event can be very stressful on patients and their families,” said Lindsay Lederer, SLP, Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at MCMC. “Many patients don’t know that they have a choice of where they go when they are ready for rehabilitation. We are so pleased to be able to offer this high-quality service right here in the Gorge. Obtaining this certification every three years is testament to our team’s dedication and commitment to caring for and improving the lives of the patients we serve.”

The inpatient program is designed to increase independence for patients who have suffered serious or acute illnesses or injuries, including stroke, femur or hip fractures, brain injury, and amputations.

Accreditation is only granted to rehabilitation centers that go through a demanding

evaluation process, including peer review and on-site visits. To achieve accreditation, programs must demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality programs and treatments and offer measurable results. More than 90 percent of patients at MCMC’s inpatient rehabilitation program discharge back to the community, and outcomes for mobility and caring for oneself (i.e. dressing, bathing) exceed regional performance. Patients continue to report high satisfaction with their ability to function in the community long after discharge from the rehab program.

The inpatient rehabilitation program is designed to improve all facets of a patient’s condition -- emotional, psychological, and physical health. The specialized team of medical experts includes:

• Physical therapists • Occupational therapists • Social workers • Rehabilitation medical director • Physicians • Rehabilitation nurses and patient care associates • Speech therapists • Therapeutic recreation specialists • Registered Dietitians

“Our thorough approach takes full advantage of the resources we have here,” said Lederer. “Patients are cared for by a team that fully understands each individual’s situation and shares the same goals – getting them home as healthy and as fast as possible,” Founded in 1901, Mid-Columbia Medical Center is a nationally recognized hospital dedicated to serving residents of The Dalles and its surrounding communities. For more information visit mcmc.net.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

Arthritis and Exercise

Approximately 54 million Americans have arthritis. That is almost twenty five percent of America. Around half of those are limited in their activities because of arthritis and more than one in four adults with arthritis say they have severe joint pain. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, but there are other forms, too, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, aching, joint stiffness and swelling.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis. Most of those cause pain and stiffness around affected joints, but some types can also affect other organs. People with inflammatory arthritis can also develop complications with other illnesses because they have weakened immune systems from the arthritis or the medications used to manage it. Arthritis is usually diagnosed by taking a thorough medical history, conducting a physical examination, taking X-rays and blood tests. You can have more than one form of arthritis at a time, but with all of them, early diagnosis and treatment is critical.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Exercise such as walking, biking or swimming can actually decrease arthritis pain. It also improves your mood and quality of life. The CDC recognizes several programs as being beneficial for arthritis sufferers, including the Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program, the Active Living Everyday program, Enhance Fitness, Fit & Strong, Walk with Ease-Group and more.

Getting enough exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce your risk of osteoarthritis, particularly in your hips, knees and ankles. You should talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program and particularly if you suffer from inflammatory arthritis, which is helped by early treatment and learning to manage the condition.

See your medical professional if you experience pain that is sharp, stabbing or constant; pain that causes you to limp; pain that lasts more than two hours after exercise or gets worse at night; pain or swelling that does not improve with rest, medication and hot or cold treatments; increases in swelling or your joints feeling hot.