RehabCare And The Reading Hospital And Medical Center Develop New Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
St. Louis & West Reading, PA - RehabCare Group, Inc. and The Reading Hospital and Medical Center (The Reading Hospital) announced recently a joint venture to develop the first long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The 60-bed LTACH will be housed within a new post-acute facility being constructed in Spring Township, about five miles from The Reading Hospital's main campus.
A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility was held on Friday, November 30.
The LTACH venture is a continuation of a nearly 10-year partnership between RehabCare and The Reading Hospital. Since 1998, RehabCare has managed the 44-bed acute rehabilitation unit (ARU) and 50-bed transitional care center at The Reading Hospital. The existing ARU will relocate to the new post-acute hospital, as will the outpatient rehabilitation clinic and diagnostic services necessary to support patient needs. A spring 2009 opening is anticipated.
"For more than 140 years, The Reading Hospital and Medical Center has had a reputation of advancing patient care, and we're proud to join them in leading the way in bringing this new service to the community," commented John H. Short, Ph.D., RehabCare President and CEO. "This project not only elevates our relationship with a valued partner, but is a complement to our other post-acute services in the area."
RehabCare currently manages three nearby skilled nursing facility programs and an inpatient rehabilitation unit in addition to the two programs at The Reading Hospital.
Scott R. Wolfe, President and Chief Executive Officer at The Reading Hospital, said, "The development of an LTACH is further evidence of our commitment to extending our continuum of care for the Berks County community. Working with our trusted partner, RehabCare, we will offer the specialized services required by individuals whose complex health needs demand acute hospital care for greater than 25 days. The new post-acute facility also will enable us to expand the scope of services provided to individuals in need of acute rehabilitation."
LTACHs provide specialized, around-the-clock care for extended stay patients with chronic or medically complex conditions, such as ventilator dependency, brain injury, cardiopulmonary disease, chronic pain and neuropathy. Patients are typically admitted to an LTACH following treatment in a traditional acute care hospital, and the average length of stay is 30 days.
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, RehabCare (www.rehabcare.com) is a leading national provider of physical rehabilitation services in conjunction with about 1,250 skilled nursing facilities and hospitals in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The Company also owns and/or operates 10 freestanding rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospitals.
The Reading Hospital and Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare center providing comprehensive acute care, post-acute rehabilitation, behavioral and occupational health services to Berks County and the surrounding area. Established as The Reading Dispensary in 1867, the hospital has since expanded to an 800-bed, 22-building complex, leading the region in tertiary care and perennially ranking among the top four Pennsylvania hospitals in patient admissions, surgical procedures, emergency care volume and outpatient services.
SOURCE: RehabCare Group, Inc.