Medical rehabilitation system for patients in acute rehabilitation units

ABSTRACT

Acute-phase rehabilitation hospitals focus on managing disabilities, reducing sequelae and symptoms, and enhancing social reintegration, to provide patients with the highest possible independence and the best quality of life. In order to achieve these goals, it is necessary to ensure the appropriate length of hospital stays based on a consideration of disease severity and patients' potential for rehabilitation, as well as to provide multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in the management of complex or severe conditions. Hospitals should include rehabilitation centers (specialized rehabilitation units) for patients with complex or severe needs. Starting in acute settings, specialized rehabilitation wards provide intensive, highly specialized interventions to restore function to patients with complex rehabilitation needs. Financial resources should be allocated to rehabilitation services to implement recommendations for the delivery of medical services In Korea, the appropriate allocation of resources for rehabilitation could increase both the availability and the quality of rehabilitation services by facilitating the establishment of specialized rehabilitation units in acute settings.