Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will soon open the first 12-bed Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) in Hancock County.

In the ARU, patients receive a minimum of three hours of physical, occupational, and/or speech therapy five days each week, a more rigorous therapy schedule than a patient might experience in a skilled nursing facility. However, they generally spend less time in the ARU, with an average stay of two weeks. 

“We are committed to investing in programs and services that enhance the quality of patient care and increase our community’s access to essential services to improve patients’ functional abilities and independence,” said Myron D. Lewis, president and chief executive officer at BVHS.

“Patients will need to be able to tolerate this more intense approach to rehabilitation,” said Jessica Moore, RN, director of inpatient nursing. “It will not be the right fit for everyone, but the right patient will find that it may allow them to heal more quickly and return home after completing rehab. We expect the ARU to allow us to discharge patients sooner and reduce the likelihood they will be readmitted to the hospital.”

Before discharging a patient to the ARU, the inpatient team at Blanchard Valley Hospital will determine whether that patient is a good fit. The majority of patients in the ARU are expected to be those recovering from stroke or traumatic injuries.

Construction is ongoing on the fourth floor of BVH, and the organization is now seeking associates to work in this new unit.

The ARU at BVH will include a room for activities of daily living, designed to look and feel like home, with a simulated bathroom and kitchen. This will allow patients to practice everyday skills like cooking or washing clothing, so healthcare professionals can see if they need help or are ready to safely perform these activities upon returning home. There will also be an activity and dining room

BVHS is partnering with Lifepoint Rehabilitation, a business unit of Lifepoint Health and a leading provider of rehabilitation program management services for more than 200+ centers and other post-acute and outpatient care settings across the nation. Lifepoint Rehabilitation will support BVHS with management programs and best practices in quality rehabilitation services. Nurses working at the ARU will be BVHS associates.