Inpatient Rehabilitation

We Put Patients and Their Families Center Stagerehabilitation

Our Inpatient Rehabilitation Center provides therapy services 7 days a week helping individuals recovering from stroke, orthopedic surgery, amputation, or other illnesses and injuries maximize their recovery. Located within Catawba Valley Medical Center, our 10-bed unit has achieved a maximum three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Our program and facility is designed to promote a high level of independence and patient comfort and safety.

For more information about making a referral, to request a list of fees, or for a tour of the Inpatient Unit, please call the Admissions Coordinator at 828.326.3100. Our fax number is 828.326.2587.

About Inpatient Rehabilitation

cooking rehab

Patients and their families are important members of the rehabilitation team. The rehabilitation process begins with the team working closely with patients to identify their personal recovery goals and to design an individualized treatment plan to meet those goals. We encourage family member involvement in the acute rehabilitation process working with staff through education and planning for successful discharge. Patient education sessions help prepare patients to safely return home and to the community. Patient and family education sessions help family members better understand patient needs to provide assistance at home. Our transitional living suite’s home-like environment and participation in therapeutic day passes allows patients and their families to practice safety, functional skills and mobility prior to being discharged.

Why Choose Inpatient Rehabilitation?

Skilled Nursing Facility

Acute inpatient rehab hospital

Length of stay

The national average length of time spent at a skilled nursing facility rehab is 28 days.

The national average length of time spent at an acute inpatient rehab hospital is 16 days.

Amount (and intensity) of therapy

In a skilled nursing facility you’ll receive one or more therapies for an average of one to two hours per day. This includes physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The therapies are not considered intensive.

In an acute inpatient rehab hospital you’ll receive a minimum of three hours per day, five days a week, of intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Your therapy is provided by rehab specialists who incorporate advanced technologies and approaches into your regimen.

Physician involvement

An attending physician provides a comprehensive initial assessment within 30 days of your admission into a skilled nursing facility. An attending physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is only required to visit you once every 30 days.

Physician care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A rehabilitation physician will visit you at least three times per week to assess your goals and progress.

Nursing care

A registered nurse is required to be in the building and on duty for eight hours a day. More often, patients are seen by certified nurse aides. A registered nurse is available in the evening and off hours. The nurse-to-patient ratio is one nurse aide to 20 to 30 patients.

Nursing care is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by registered nurses as well as Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurses (CRRN). The nurse-to-patient ration is one nurse to five or six patients.

Treatment team

In addition to a monthly visit from an attending physician, you may receive additional visits from a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or clinical nurse specialist. Sub-acute teams include physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and a case manager.

Your highly trained, multidisciplinary personal rehab team, consisting of rehabilitation physician, nurses, therapists, care managers, dieticians, pharmacists, psychologists, and family members, work together to help determine goals and the best individualized treatment approaches for you.

Admission Requirements

The patient must:

  • Require the 24-hour availability of a physician and a registered nurse with special training or experience in the field of rehabilitation
  • Be able to participate in three hours of therapy per day, five days per week
  • Require an intensive rehabilitation program which offers an interdisciplinary team approach. The patient’s prescribed rehabilitation program must include at least two of the following therapies: physical, occupational or speech
  • Have physical conditions or impairments that demonstrate potential for significant improvement within a reasonable period of time.
  • There must be sufficient community/family support to facilitate a discharge to home, rest home or assisted living facility
  • Demonstrate cognitive abilities sufficient to follow one-step commands and demonstrate carryover
  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Receive financial clearance

What is CARF?

CARF explanation

The inpatient Rehabilitation program at Catawba Valley Medical Center is the only accredited program of its type in the area. The Commission on Accredititation of Rehabilitation Facilities, also known as CARF, is an international, independent, accrediting organization for rehabilitation services. CARF-accreditied service providers have voluntarily demonstrated conformance to proven standards for quality.

Our program has been CARF accredited since 2000. Additional information regarding CARF is available at CARF.org.

Our Rehabilitation facility includes:

  • Private and semi-private rooms
  • State-of-the-art equipped rehabilitation gym including the Lite gait training system and Liko lift system
  • Transitional Living Suite for demonstration of functional skills for discharge
  • Availability of therapy services 7 days a week
  • Safety education kitchen, bathroom, and laundry areas
  • Community Dayroom for patient interaction and social dining

Our Interdisciplinary Team

Catawba Valley Medical Center’s rehabilitation professionals strive to facilitate each patient’s independence and function through a goal-oriented and personalized treatment plan, which may include inpatient physical therapy. The patient, their families and our interdisciplinary team working closely from admission to discharge.

Our inpatient team consists of:

  • A Medical Director who is a Physiatrist
  • Rehabilitation Registered Nurses
  • Certified Nursing Assistants
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Recreation Therapist
  • Case Manager
  • Pharmacist
  • Dietitian
  • Licensed Clinical Counselor
  • Orthotists and Prosthetist

Our Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation program also offers:

  • Home Assessments
  • FEES (Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing)
  • Community Reintegration Education and Outings
  • Animal Assisted Therapy visits

Before You Are Admitted/What to Bring

Before Your Are Admitted/What to Bring:

  • Casual and comfortable clothing
  • Footwear with strong support and non-skid soles
  • Personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo, brushes/combs, deodorant and shaving supplies
  • Cell phone

Items requiring inspection:

  • Any electrical equipment, such as electric razors, must be inspected by unit staff before use.

What NOT to Bring:

  • Please do not bring any medications from home. All medications must be dispensed from the hospital pharmacy.

Our Results - For Patients Our Results - For Referral Sources

This team of dedicated, competent and caring professionals, is trained to help motivate and educate both patients and their families during the rehabilitative process.


810 Fairgrove Church Road SE, Hickory, NC 28602

For more information call 828.326.2131