Acute Rehab

The Acute Rehabilitation Unit cares for patients who have suffered a functional loss due to:

Our Rehab team focuses on getting patients home and back into the community. We encourage family and caregiver involvement throughout the rehabilitation program and the discharge planning process.

Medical Leadership

Kala Danushkodi, MD, is one of the Acute Rehab Unit's medical directors. She is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Danushkodi coordinates treatment plans and works closely with patients, families and the care team to help patients achieve the rehabilitation goals.

Adam Schulte, MD, is one of the Acute Rehab Unit's medical directors. He graduated from the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Schulte's primary interests are inpatient rehabilitation, physiatry consultation and electrodiagnostic medicine.

Paras Shah, MD. Dr. Shah is board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Nursing Staff (RN/LPN). Our nurses provide care and support 24/7. They are specially-trained in skincare and wound prevention, medication management, diabetes management, bowel and bladder management, disease process education, care coordination and discharge planning. They also help patients practice the techniques they learn during therapy sessions.

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Patient Care Techs (PCTs). Our CNAs collaborate with nurses and therapists to monitor the patient’s progress outside of therapy sessions. Patient care techs help patients practice the techniques they learn during therapy sessions.

Rehab Techs. Our rehab techs transport patients to and from therapy appointments, help therapists and nurses, and maintain the equipment and treatment areas.

Physical Therapists (PTs). Our physical therapists help patients increase their independence with functional mobility tasks which may include getting in and out of bed, standing up from and sitting down in a chair, walking, using a wheelchair, walking up and downstairs, and getting in and out of a car. Sessions focus on building strength, endurance, balance and coordination.

Occupational Therapists (OTs). Our occupational therapists help patients increase their independence with daily living tasks such as grooming, bathing, dressing, getting in and out of a tub or shower, and using the toilet. Other areas of focus may include feeding techniques, meal preparation, housekeeping, hobbies and reintegrating into their community.

Speech Therapists (STs). Our speech therapists help patients increase their independence with communication, problem-solving, memory skills, social interaction, managing their finances and medications, and swallowing.

Social Workers (SWs) and Case Managers (CMs). Our social workers and case managers coordinate and communicate each patient's plan of care, encourage family and caregiver involvement, and help with discharge planning and finding equipment and community resources.

Additional team members may include:

• Dietitian - Provides nutritional counseling
• Pharmacist - Helps patients manage their medications
• Psychologist - Offers support and methods for coping with medical conditions and functional limitations
• Respiratory therapist: Manages pulmonary treatments
• Chaplain - Offers spiritual support and coping methods

Program Features

Our Acute Rehab Unit features 48 private rooms, an 1,800-square-foot gym and several amenities to help the transition from hospital to home.

We also have a washer and dryer, fully-functioning kitchen and home-simulated activity rooms.

The ARU is inside North Kansas City Hospital, meaning patients have access to a full medical staff in case of an emergency or complex health condition.

Bioness

North Kansas City Hospital now offers two rehabilitation devices that help patients regain mobility and independence. Our Bioness^® lower extremity and hand function systems help people living with:

• Brain injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Other central nervous system disorders

Goal Tracking

One way we encourage patient and family involvement during the recovery is through RehabTracker.

The RehabTracker app lets patients:

• View their personalized goals
• See and track their progress in real time
• Share their progress with friends and family
• Receive messages of support from loved ones