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Acute inpatient rehab at Grady offers hospital-based therapy after stroke, injury, or surgery. Learn how it differs from skilled nursing and how to start care.
What Is Acute Inpatient Rehab?
Acute inpatient rehab is a hospital-level rehabilitation program for patients who are medically stable but still require close monitoring and extended, structured therapy.
Patients stay in the hospital and receive:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Emotional and social support
Most patients participate in at least 3 hours of therapy per day, 5 to 6 days a week, along with 24/7 nursing care and regular visits from rehabilitation physicians.
The goal is to improve function and support a safe return home.
What to Expect During Your Stay
- Daily Therapy: Structured physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy focused on rebuilding function.
- 24/7 Medical Monitoring: Continuous nursing care and regular physician oversight.
- Discharge Planning: Early planning to support a safe transition home or to the next level of care.
Who Benefits from Inpatient Rehab?
Acute inpatient rehab is often recommended for patients who:
- Are recovering from a stroke
- Have experienced serious trauma or injury
- Have a brain or spinal cord injury
- Need rehabilitation after major surgery
- Have difficulty walking, speaking, swallowing, or performing daily tasks
- Require hospital-level oversight during recovery
Patients must be able to participate in daily therapy and benefit from an intensive rehabilitation program.
Benefits of Hospital-Based Inpatient Rehab
- Focused daily therapy
- Ongoing medical supervision
- Coordinated care with hospital specialists
- Support for a safe transition home
Why Inpatient Rehab at Grady?
- Family Education: We provide education and training to help families understand how to support recovery after discharge.
- Care in One Location: Rehabilitation takes place within Grady Hospital. If additional specialists, imaging, or services are needed, they are available on-site.
- Experienced Rehabilitation Team: Our team includes board-certified rehabilitation physicians, specially trained nurses, and licensed therapists experienced in stroke, trauma, and neurological recovery.
- Individualized Care Plan: Each patient receives a treatment plan based on their medical condition, recovery goals, and discharge needs.
Understanding the Difference
Acute Inpatient Rehab vs. Skilled Nursing Facility
Families often ask about the difference between acute inpatient rehabilitation and a skilled nursing facility. Both provide rehabilitation services, but the level of care and intensity differ.
Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation (Hospital-Based)
- Located inside a hospital
- About 3 hours of therapy per day
- 24/7 nursing care
- Daily physician oversight
- Designed for patients who need close medical supervision
Skilled Nursing Facility
- Located in a nursing facility
- Typically, 1–2 hours of therapy per day
- Nursing care available
- Physician oversight is less frequent
- Often appropriate for slower recovery or longer-term care
Your care team will help determine which level of rehabilitation is most appropriate for your condition.