Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute is one of the leading providers of comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation for people who have experienced injury, pain or disease.

Our patient outcomes and satisfaction often exceed national averages.

Inpatient care is offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis and United Hospital in St. Paul.

Both units have earned accreditation from the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). This means they have met the highest industry standards for quality care and service.

Making lives work

Our goal is for every patient to leave Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute having achieved as much independence as possible – to do as much as they can physically and mentally, to stay connected to family and friends, and to continue to progress toward their personal best.

Your care team

When you need rehabilitation after an illness or injury, a care team will help you reach your goals and regain skills. This can make you better able to participate in previous life roles, such as driving, parenting, socializing or working.

The therapy program

Together with the patient and family, our care team formulates a rehab plan designed for each patient to reach the highest level of performance and accomplish what he or she hopes to achieve by the time of discharge. The patient's length of stay is individualized based on the need of the patient.

Our inpatient program is well-coordinated and follows a transdisciplinary rehabilitation team approach to care. The Institute provides a healing environment that optimizes recovery. Patients receive a daily therapy schedule that is customized to their needs.

Generally, patients receive six 30-minute sessions each day, which may include speech, occupational, physical and recreational therapy, and counseling or neuropsychological sessions. The team's treatment plan continues during the weekend.

Our care team provides a wide variety of services, including:

• physiatry
• rehabilitation nursing
• neuropsychology/psychology
• care navigation
• social work
• physical therapy
• occupational therapy
• speech therapy
• recreational therapy.

We also offer a variety of specialty services and programs, including respiratory therapy, dietary, spiritual care, community, school or vocational re-entry.

Abbott Northwestern and United hospitals have the full scope of medical, diagnostic, laboratory and pharmacy services available on site. Doctors respond to emergencies within the hospital and Sister Kenny 24 hours a day.

When patients are ready to take the next step in their therapy, they are encouraged to use "home passes," participate in day outings with their families, or stay in the apartment on the unit. These are opportunities to practice new skills and to discover possible issues before discharge.

Features

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute remains on the cutting edge of advanced rehabilitation technologies. The rehabilitation units feature:

• private or semi-private rooms. Patients who have medical or behavioral issues and require a private room will be given priority for available private rooms.
• therapy areas with simulated real-life conditions and equipment
• a convenient way to purchase adaptive equipment if needed
• WiFi and Internet access
• a dining room
• deck with a therapeutic gardening program
• laundry area
• fitness center
• family lounge
• a therapeutic pool and technology center (only at Abbott Northwestern Hospital).

Typical diagnoses

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute's comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation program accepts patients from the age of

• 16 and up at Abbott Northwestern Hospital
• 18 and up at United Hospital.

Children may be considered at each location on a case-by-case basis and accepted with the approval of the physician-in-chief.

We provide services to patients who suffer activity or participation limitations due to the following CMS defined impairment groups:

• stroke
• brain injury
• spinal cord
• neurological
• orthopedic
• amputee
• arthritis
• cardiac
• pulmonary
• pain
• multiple trauma.

The number served per year is in accordance with the CMS 60 percent rule. Patients served in the rehabilitation units may demonstrate limitations in any two or more of the following areas:

• mobility
• activities of daily living
• bowel/bladder continence
• communication
• cognition.

Patients may have participation restrictions making it difficult for them to return to their previous family, community, or social roles. Examples of participation restrictions might include having difficulty taking one's previous role in the family (e.g. parent-role), being employed, participating in community activities or obtaining a driver's license, to name just a few.

Admissions and referral

We accept referrals from doctors, social workers, nurses, therapists, discharge planners, insurers, case managers, patients and family members.

Criteria for admission

Upon receiving a referral for Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at United or Abbott Northwestern Hospital, a staff physiatrist (a board-certified physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation), nurse practitioner, or an access and referral team member will assess the patient's ability to perform everyday activities, identify their rehabilitation needs and determine if inpatient rehabilitation is appropriate.

Things taken into consideration include:

• medical history
• results of consultations, diagnostics
• therapy and social workers initial evaluations and notes past two days
• labs and vitals from the last 72 hours
• list of current medications

See full list of criteria used to determine admission to Sister Kenny's inpatient rehabilitation program.

Admission

If it is determined that a patient would benefit from an inpatient rehabilitation course, admission to Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute is arranged.

Make a referral

For more information, or to make a referral to either Abbott Northwestern or United Hospital's rehabilitation unit, call the Access and Referral Line at 612-863-4457.

One of our nurse liaisons can arrange an evaluation to determine if your patient is appropriate for admission to the rehabilitation unit. They can also arrange for a tour or obtain insurance authorization.

Funding sources

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute accepts various funding sources including but not limited to private insurance, worker's compensation, self-pay, HMO/PPO, Medicare, in-state Medicaid, out-of-state Medicaid, and CHAMPUS.

Sister Kenny also accepts patients with no funding but will assist with application for uncompensated care as available for individuals who are uninsured and cannot afford to pay.

Non-discrimination policy

The rehabilitation programs at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute do not discriminate towards individuals of varying race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual preference and strive to understand and be sensitive to these characteristics and to patient preferences.

Going home

Family involvement

Family members are encouraged to accompany the patient upon admission to receive an orientation to the rehab unit. Education and therapy information sessions are available for family members who will be involved in managing the patient's care after discharge.

Family support services

Family members play an important role in patients' recovery. They also may be affected by the patient's condition. To make sure this is a smooth transition as possible, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute provides services for family support systems, including:

• Supportive counseling for coping and adjustment to the disabilities of a family member is available with the social worker and/or neuropsychologist as appropriate.

• Family/support system conferences are held as requested.
• Educational, informational or training needs as they relate to the rehabilitation needs of their family members.
• Information regarding local and regional resources for civil rights is available upon request.
• A Peer Support Program is available so that patients and family members can interact with others who have shared similar experiences.

The programs seek to keep patients, families and significant others informed of local and regional support groups, advocacy agencies, and community resources. Assistance is provided to access these resources as needed.

Family lodging

For those who would like to stay close by, you will find lodging options near Abbott Northwestern and United Hospital.

For current rates or reservations, call the Sheraton Minneapolis Midtown Hotel near Abbott Northwestern Hospital at 612-821-7600 or the Lipschultz Center at United Hospital at 651-241-8989.

Frequently asked questions