At Vibra Hospital of Richardson, we provide specialized care to individuals who are recovering from serious medical conditions, injuries, and illnesses. Below you can read answers to some of the questions we are asked most often and learn a little more about the services we offer.
What is a critical care hospital?
When you are brought to the hospital for a serious medical incident such as a heart attack or brain injury, the treatment you receive there is called “acute” care, or care that is provided to address a severe or emergent medical issue. Traditional hospitals are designed to diagnose and stabilize individuals with acute medical problems. They typically do not expect their patients to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time. In some cases though, patients require more time to recover in a hospital setting before they can safely return home. Most traditional hospitals are not designed to facilitate care for an extended period, so they will refer these patients to another care provider. When patients require continued hospitalization for the management of complex medical issues, they may be referred to a critical care hospital, sometimes called a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH), like Vibra Hospital of Richardson.
Our hospital is built to meet the needs of patients who require longer recovery periods in a hospital setting. Critical care hospitals specialize in treating serious respiratory, cardiac, multi-system, neurological, infectious disease, and wound healing issues, among other conditions. Our goal is to help patients advance their recovery as much as possible during their hospital stay.
What conditions are treated at a critical care hospital?
We treat individuals with a variety of conditions and this list is not all-inclusive. We work with both patients recovering from sudden and unexpected injury or illness, as well as those suffering from chronic, debilitating conditions. Serious respiratory issues, cardiac conditions, stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cancers, traumatic injuries, multi-system medical issues, infectious diseases, sepsis, and wound healing problems are just some of the conditions we are equipped to treat. Individuals with conditions like these may require hospital-level care for a longer time period of time than a traditional hospital is prepared to provide. That’s where we can help.
How long do patients stay at a critical care hospital?
The length of time that individuals stay at a critical care hospital is determined by their condition, clinical needs, and their ability to safely live outside of a hospital environment. Patients who require extended hospitalization typically stay at a critical care hospital anywhere between 25 and 30 days, but this can vary from patient to patient. Each patient’s recovery and medical needs are unique.
How is a critical care hospital different from a skilled nursing/rehab facility (SNF)?
Critical care hospitals, like Vibra Hospital of Richardson, are licensed as hospitals, not nursing facilities. Critical care hospitals offer many of the same services and features you’d find in any other hospital.
Daily physician oversight and intervention is the distinguishing factor of any acute care hospital versus a skilled nursing/rehab facility (SNF). As a hospital, we offer 24-hour nursing care and daily physician management. When compared to SNFs, critical care hospitals usually provide more intensive services and treat patients with more complex medical needs.
Both critical care hospitals and SNFs provide valuable medical services. Each has its own unique requirements and specialties. For this reason, some patients may be more appropriate for one level of care over the other.
What is the difference between physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy?
Physical therapy
Physical therapy focuses on helping people deal with medical issues through a series of exercises and therapeutic techniques. The goal of physical therapy is to help individuals regain function and advance to a point in recovery where they are less likely to suffer a recurring incident. Physical therapists often work with their patients on relieving pain, improving movement and mobility, building strength and confidence, and developing strategies for preventing further issues.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapists focus on helping patients live their day-to-day lives as independently as possible and without discomfort. They empower their patients to reach very specific goals, such as overcoming a physical limitation that is preventing the return to work. When a complete recovery is impossible, they teach patients to focus on what they can do, rather than what they can’t. They often can help their patients find new ways of doing things or new activities that improve their quality of life.
Speech therapy
Conditions like brain injury and stroke can hinder a person’s ability to communicate. Speech-language pathologists are trained to find the root cause of a patient’s difficulty and help them learn how to communicate without difficulty. Speech-language pathologists are also skilled in treating many other conditions, including swallowing disorders and cognitive issues.
Can I request a tour?
Yes, we welcome you to contact us for a tour of Vibra Hospital of Richardson any time! We know that choosing a healthcare provider can be a difficult choice, and we want to ensure you have all of the information you need about us. Touring is a great way to learn more about what we have to offer and meet members of our team.
How can I or my family member be referred for treatment?
We routinely receive referrals from traditional hospitals; however, we do also receive referrals from other specialty hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare companies, and physician offices. If you or your family member is not currently in the care of one of these providers, please contact us and we’d be happy to discuss your needs further.
What insurance plans do you accept?
We work with Medicare and a variety of other insurance providers. Please contact our admissions department at 469.329.7300 to determine if we are in-network with your insurance plan.
Most insurance plans require authorization for our services. This process can take anywhere between one and five days to complete. We strive to provide clear communication throughout this process. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the referral process, please reach out to us at 469.329.7300.
Do you work with patients who have special dietary needs?
We know that nutrition is a key component in recovery and essential to the healing process. We work with each patient to address their dietary needs, restrictions, and preferences. Our dieticians work closely with our food services team members to ensure any special dietary needs are met. Our team can help patients manage a number of special nutrition needs, including diabetic and renal diets.
What are your visiting hours?
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a serious and ever-changing situation. Patient safety is our highest priority and we have implemented the known, necessary preventive measures. Please note that for our patients’ safety, we have modified our visiting hours and procedures. Please contact us to confirm our current visitor practices.
Where do patients go after being discharged?
Based on the medical needs of the patient, their capabilities, and their at-home support systems, a patient may be discharged to their home, to their home with home healthcare services, to a skilled nursing facility, or to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital. We strongly encourage family involvement in the discharge process. For patients returning home, our team can provide family members with guidance on how to make the home environment safe and accessible. We empower caregivers to learn as much as possible about their loved one’s condition so that they can help them reach their best possible outcome!
