Inova Specialty Hospital

Inova Specialty Hospital Inova Specialty Hospital is a 32-bed, critical illness recovery hospital located on the 4th floor of Inova Mount Vernon Hospital.

We specialize in helping critically ill patients begin to breathe, speak, eat, walk and think as independently as possible.

05/01/2026

A stroke can happen suddenly, but understanding the causes and warning signs can save a life.

Most strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked, often by a blood clot or buildup of plaque in an artery. Others happen when a weakened blood vessel ruptures and bleeds into the brain. Conditions like high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, high cholesterol, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking and heavy alcohol use can increase stroke risk. Still other strokes occur without an apparent cause and may act as a warning that a bigger stroke is possible.

If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait. Act fast and call 911 immediately.

A routine knee replacement was supposed to help Patsy Taylor walk without pain. Instead, it changed everything.After yea...
04/24/2026

A routine knee replacement was supposed to help Patsy Taylor walk without pain. Instead, it changed everything.

After years of complications and a life-threatening infection, Patsy faced an impossible choice: lose her leg—or lose her life.

She chose to live. And then, she chose to rebuild. Inpatient rehabilitation would help Patsy relearn how to stand, walk and trust her body again. With grit, humor and relentless effort, Patsy proved that life after limb loss can still move forward.

Read Patsy's story: https://bit.ly/42rf0wt

04/20/2026

Our occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help patients recovering from illness or injury to rebuild function, mobility and independence so they may return to the everyday activities that matter most.

04/14/2026

After a fall at her home caused a traumatic brain injury, Debbie Thigpen of Starke, Florida, nearly lost her life. Surgeons removed part of her skull to save her life.

Her recovery carried her from intensive care to Select Specialty Hospital - Gainesville and UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital before she made it home one year ago this week.

Now — one year since the day she was discharged — Debbie is back to the life she loves: playing darts, hosting family and proudly reclaiming her title as one of the Florida Gators’ most devoted fans.

To learn more about Select Medical’s network of hospitals, visit: https://www.selectmedical.com/about-us/

According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, roughly 185,000 people undergo limb amputation due to injury...
04/02/2026

According to the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, roughly 185,000 people undergo limb amputation due to injury or disease annually. Most of them face an array of physical, emotional, psychological and social challenges, from pre-prosthetic, prosthetic and outpatient/reintegration needs.

Clinicians at our network of hospitals and outpatient centers provide amputees with individualized care to help them overcome those challenges, from post-surgical care and prosthetic training to community reintegration and long-term follow-up.

Treatment is tailored to each patient’s goals and refined as they progress.

Our certified occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants help patients restore their ability to p...
04/01/2026

Our certified occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapy assistants help patients restore their ability to perform daily life activities so they may reclaim independence and safely return home following injury or illness.

Today, we celebrate the physicians who guide the care of our patients through some of the toughest moments of their live...
03/30/2026

Today, we celebrate the physicians who guide the care of our patients through some of the toughest moments of their lives as they heal, recover and regain their quality of life after serious injury or illness.

We appreciate their leadership, compassion and dedication.

A recovery journey starts with the same foundation: hope.Every day, our clinicians support patients and their families t...
03/25/2026

A recovery journey starts with the same foundation: hope.

Every day, our clinicians support patients and their families through life‑changing diagnoses, including brain injuries.

Through therapies and treatments, we help patients see progress that once felt out of reach.
And when it’s time to prepare for discharge, we’ll be there, too. Our case management team coordinates meetings with patients, their families, and the clinical team — explaining levels of care and reviewing what to expect.

03/16/2026

If the brain had a superpower, it just might be neuroplasticity.

After a brain injury, neural connections can be damaged or lost. Fortunately, brains are resilient and can reorganize through neuroplasticity, the process of creating new neural connections to bypass damaged areas of the brain. Therapeutic activities often involve repetitive tasks and practice, which strengthen existing neural pathways or stimulate the formation of new ones.

When appropriate for a patient, robotic technology allows individuals to perform a much higher number of specific repetitive movements during a treatment session as compared to a conventional session.

More repetitive movement is accomplished through devices that propel movement. The devices include sensors that monitor, assist and provide precise support for a patient’s position and movements.

By taking advantage of the brain's potential to reorganize, individuals with brain injuries can regain lost abilities and improve their overall quality of life.

“When will my loved one be off the ventilator?”While every patient’s recovery journey is different, our goal remains the...
03/13/2026

“When will my loved one be off the ventilator?”
While every patient’s recovery journey is different, our goal remains the same for every vent-dependent patient: breathing on their own with as much function as possible. Behind every successful ventilator liberation is a coordinated plan rooted in expertise and compassion.

Steps our nationally recognized respiratory care teams take to liberate a patient from a ventilator:
1. Decrease vent support as manageable and then slowly increase time off the ventilator.
2. Evaluate the ability to use a speaking valve to help restore communication.
3. Work with physical and occupational therapy teams to regain strength and independence with everyday activities

Delirium is more common than many realize. Two out of three post-ICU patients experience it, and older adults are also a...
03/12/2026

Delirium is more common than many realize. Two out of three post-ICU patients experience it, and older adults are also at higher risk. Because delirium doesn’t appear on CT or MRI scans, families are often the first to notice when something isn’t quite right. The earlier delirium is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances for recovery.

💜 On World Delirium Day, we’re raising awareness to help loved ones spot the signs early.

When someone is recovering from a stroke, brain injury or other serious illness, even something as simple as chewing can...
03/11/2026

When someone is recovering from a stroke, brain injury or other serious illness, even something as simple as chewing can be a major challenge. That’s where our dietitians step in.

Our dietitians use transitional foods — foods that melt or soften easily — to help patients safely relearn chewing and swallowing skills. These small bites have big impacts like renewed confidence at mealtimes, greater independence and returned joy to eating.

On Dietitian Day, we celebrate the experts who turn nourishment into healing on the path to recovery.

Address

2501 Parkers Lane, 4th Floor
Alexandria, VA
22306

Telephone

+15715473600

Website

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