RUSH Specialty Hospital - Critical Illness Recovery

10/23/2025

Behind every patient with a spinal cord injury is a licensed pharmacist. The pharmacist—an essential member of the physician-led multidisciplinary team—helps to manage the patient’s pain, prevent secondary complications, and assists with transition and discharge planning.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients require a complex level of care. Pharmacists play an integral role in a patient’s care journey, providing expertise on SCI pain management, secondary complications, avoidance of adverse drug effects and a safe discharge to home.

10/23/2025

Each of our specialty hospitals operates an Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP), a coordinated effort between our pharmacy team, clinicians, environmental services and infection preventionists to stop the spread of infections caused by drug-resistant diseases. Our pharmacies ensure the safety and care of our patients and staff by managing and assessing all anti-microbial regimens.

10/22/2025

From fielding the first call about a new hospital location to welcoming the first patient through the door, our design, construction and facilities teams can be counted on to help create a healing environment.

Our design and construction teams oversee all hospital building projects—ensuring safety and efficiency in the engineering and ex*****on of plans. Once constructed, hospitals are turned over to our facilities teams who oversee day-to-day operations, including the physical building infrastructure, air quality and maintenance of all medical equipment.

Working together, these professionals contribute to a safe, comfortable and accessible setting for our patients, visitors and staff.

10/21/2025

When patients face the obstacles presented by a critical illness, respiratory therapists play an essential role in restoring comfort and quality of life. Their collaboration with other rehabilitation specialists ensures patients receive the most comprehensive care possible.

“Every injury is unique and can involve significant challenges,” says Lori Vessell, respiratory manager at Select Specialty Hospital – St. Louis. “As respiratory therapists, we work closely with physical and occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to develop a well-rounded approach to each patient. We mobilize patients being supported by the ventilator to prevent wound development and can give them back their voice by attaching a speaking valve, alleviating fear and anxiety.”

As part of our critical care teams, respiratory therapists help give patients the best possible chance to move forward in recovery.

10/20/2025

Across our nationwide network of hospitals, infection preventionists work closely with our our health care facility teams and patients to implement needed steps to block infections and prevent them from spreading.

Strategies include water and air quality testing, remote surveillance for infection prevention, enforced personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and sanitation protocols for infection control.

During Health Care Quality Week, we recognize our infection preventionists for the key role they play in the safety and well-being of our patients, staff and the communities they serve.

10/19/2025

Our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians strive to administer the lowest effective dose of pain medication while ensuring that patients can participate in necessary activities. They coordinate these efforts alongside our multidisciplinary team as they discuss the needs of patients.

Each patient’s pain management is evaluated during clinical team meetings and multidisciplinary rounds to ensure adequate pain control. The team strives to balance pain management, cognitive function and therapy participation with the goal of minimizing medication dependence and enhancing patient outcomes.

10/17/2025

Physical therapy treats impairment and functional limitation through exercises, stretches and movements. Physical therapists are highly skilled medical professionals who diagnose and help individuals recover their health and get back to life.

10/15/2025

When a patient is admitted to one of our specialty hospitals, a case manager is present to help coordinate care while guiding families and caregivers throughout the recovery journey. Serving as a central point of communication, case managers support patients as they transition to the next level of care or when preparing to discharge.

10/13/2025

One of the case manager’s key responsibilities is looking around corners—determining a patient’s medical and social service needs after they leave the hospital. Our case managers coordinate meetings with patients, their families and the clinical team, explaining the various levels of care and verbally reviewing what to expect. Additionally, case managers can assist with ordering medical equipment that the patient needs for their return home.

10/01/2025

It’s National Physical Therapy Month. Our theme throughout October is, “Your future is better with PT!” We will highlight how physical therapy can lead to a better, stronger tomorrow.

Our physical therapists are here to guide patients through every step of recovery, from hospital to home. For our patients, that means helping them return to the moments that matter. For our physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, it means making a difference and helping people move forward.

Join us throughout the month as we highlight the power of physical therapy.

09/30/2025

For patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families, discharging from the hospital is a critical period. The process can be emotional and overwhelming for some with lots of information to absorb.

The goal of the discharge process is to help patients and families navigate the medical, functional and psychosocial aspects of life after SCI. Patients are provided individualized training sessions, home exercise programs, education on bowel/bladder management and daily care materials. Physiatrists – medical doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) – welcome the support of family and friends as part of a compassionate transition.

Among these resources is the Community, Healing, Education and Training (CHET). It provides straightforward education guides about SCI and other conditions and what to expect throughout a patient’s recovery journey: https://chetcommunity.com/recoveryGuideDetails/EQEXAYWiliIR4sfxw20La

09/27/2025

Michael Scott has a lot of faith in physical therapists. And he has a lot of faith in himself. When a motorcycle crash paralyzed his legs, it didn’t take long for the 29-year-old to move from acceptance to adapting to and overcoming his spinal cord injury. A physician-led team of physical, occupational and recreational therapists from HonorHealth Rehabilitation Hospital were there to help, with innovative technology and helping him develop strategies for everyday tasks like dressing himself.

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

Lying in his hospital bed moments after a doctor gave him some of the worst news of his life, Michael Scott found solace.

09/26/2025

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) demand highly specialized care. At Select Medical specialty hospitals, an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and dietitians and others collaborate to address the complex challenges patients’ face – from blood pressure fluctuations and pain, to muscle loss, pressure sores and digestive issues that can lead to malnutrition.

“Good nutrition plays a supportive role in recovery,” said Camilla Johnson, clinical dietitian, Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation. She supports and educates patients with SCI during their rehabilitation. “In the hospital, good nutrition reduces the length of stay and … it enhances overall outcomes,” she said.

Here are four ways our dietitians contribute to patient care to promote healing and prevent complications.

09/26/2025

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) demand highly specialized care. At Select Medical specialty hospitals, an interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, therapists, and dietitians and others collaborate to address the complex challenges patients’ face – from blood pressure fluctuations and pain, to muscle loss, pressure sores and digestive issues that can lead to malnutrition.

“Good nutrition plays a supportive role in recovery,” said Camilla Johnson, clinical dietitian, Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation. She supports and educates patients with SCI during their rehabilitation. “In the hospital, good nutrition reduces the length of stay and … it enhances overall outcomes,” she said.

Here are four ways our dietitians contribute to patient care to promote healing and prevent complications.