FAQ

Q. What is an LTACH?

A. The LTACH acronym stands for Long Term Acute Care Hospital. It is defined as a hospital that provides medical care to patients that meet acute care criteria and require hospitalization for a period of time generally greater than 25 days.

Q. Is IMH a skilled nursing home/sub-acute facility?

A. No. IMH is an acute care hospital. Our patients have a higher acuity level. Our acute care hospital promotes timely and effective outcomes through our specialized programs. Each program emphasizes on the maximum recovery potential of the individual patient. A sub-acute stay may be warranted in those who are unable to be discharged home after completion of a designated program at IMH.

Q. What types of patients are admitted to IMH?

A. Patients who have a complicated infectious process that require long term intravenous antibiotic treatment.

Example: A 56 year old man is admitted to a general hospital for fever, weakness, and altered mental status. After reviewing his blood chemistry, he is diagnosed with an infection in his blood called MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) and his physician states that he will require 4 -6 weeks of antibiotic therapy to fight this infection. This young man is a potential candidate for a long term acute care facility.

A. Patients who are in the critical care or pulmonary setting and are on a mechanical ventilator for life-sustaining support.

Example: A 29 year old female involved in motor vehicle accident and suffered pulmonary contusions and/or has a pulmonary infection and requires mechanical ventilator support. She is a potential candidate for IMH once she is stabilized for transportation and no longer requires titration of cardiac medications.

A. Patients who have a complex wound; whether, the wound is post surgical, trauma, or secondary to immobility or diabetes.

Example: A patient undergoes an abdominal surgery and the patient's surgeon states that she in unable to close the abdomen because additional debridement is required and a Wound V.A.C. will need to be placed. This is a potential candidate for IMH.

Patients who are medically complex and require a longer hospitalization may benefit from the specialized services that our hospital has to offer. Today, the media has attempted to make the average consumer smarter by offering researched data that demonstrates a products potential. The following outcomes data from our hospital will assist you in making an informed decision in choosing to come to InterMedical Hospital of SC.