Focused Recovery
Proven Results and personalized Care
The Transitional Care Unit (TCU) provides vital support for patients who need additional time and care before safely returning home. With access to the full range of services offered by Grand Lake Health System, the TCU delivers an intensive rehabilitation and medical program designed to promote recovery and independence. This specialized care has proven especially beneficial for individuals recovering from procedures such as hip replacement surgery. 72% of patients were able to return home after their stay in the TCU. Of those, 32% required no additional services or outpatient therapy, while 42% were discharged with home health support.
Transitional Care Unit
The Advantage of Hospital-Based Care
Situated on the 6th floor of Grand Lake Health System, the TCU serves as a bridge between acute hospital care and home. Patients benefit from a complete range of hospital services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, as well as x-ray and emergency care.
As one patient shared, “It’s incredibly convenient here. You don’t have to leave the building to move from Joint Township Hospital to TCU. Physical therapy and other services are available right onsite.” A significant benefit of this seamless care is the ability to consult the same physicians who provided treatment during the hospital stay.
While patients will still require physician services, they will likely see their doctors less frequently due to the lower intensity of care compared to the acute setting. Nonetheless, TCU nurses will ensure that physicians are kept informed about the residents’ current health statuses.
Eligibility for the Transitional Care Unit
Transfers to the TCU must be initiated by the patient’s physician. Despite remaining within the same facility, regulations mandate that residents must be discharged from Joint Township Hospital prior to gaining admission to the TCU.
Medicare and insurance protocols stipulate that residents must meet specific skilled criteria to qualify for TCU admission.
Understanding Skilled Care
Grand Lake Health System’s Transitional Care Unit is Medicare-certified and licensed by the state to provide skilled nursing care. The TCU adheres to Medicare’s criteria for potential admission, which requires patients to have spent three days in the hospital and to need the care of a licensed professional (such as a registered nurse).
Typically, patients will require skilled services like intravenous therapy (IV), sterile dressing changes, skilled observation, or rehabilitation services from licensed physical, occupational, or speech therapists.
Patient-Centered Approach
The Transitional Care Unit employs a patient-centered approach to healthcare, actively involving patients and their families. A multidisciplinary team collaborates to provide comprehensive care, including physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists and social services.
This team formulates a personalized care plan aimed at restoring patients to optimal health and convenes weekly to assess progress. Family members are encouraged to participate in the care planning process. The staff also provides education to residents on self-help techniques and trains family members on how to support their loved ones as they prepare for their return home.
The nursing team in the TCU has received specialized training in gerontological care and has substantial experience in IV therapy, orthopedics, and other rehabilitative treatments. Patients receive 24/7 supervision from registered nurses. The focus of the Transitional Care Unit is to facilitate the path back home, allowing for visits and encouraging patients to dress in their own clothes. Meals, including therapeutic options, are served in the resident’s room or in the TCU dining area.
The duration of stay is determined by the resident’s recovery progress and the attending physician’s assessment, along with Medicare and insurance requirements. The TCU operates as a short-term care facility. Most patients will go back home, while some may need to move to a long-term care facility.
Your
Transitional Care Unit Team
A multidisciplinary team collaborates to deliver comprehensive care and develops a personalized plan focused on restoring each patient to optimal health. The team meets regularly to assess progress and adjust treatment as needed to ensure the best possible outcomes.
PHYSICIAN
NURSES
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
PHARMACISTS
SOCIAL SERVICES
419-394-3335. For hearing and communication impaired patients, Grand Lake Health System offers the Ultratec TDD Telecommunications Device for the Deaf.
