Utah Valley Specialty Hospital recently opened a new 22-bed rehabilitation unit in Provo, Utah. Named Central Utah Rehabilitation (CUR), the unit will provide specialized rehabilitative care to more than 300 patients annually who have experienced disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions.

“We’re incredibly excited about the establishment of the CUR on our Provo campus, allowing us to further support and enhance the post-acute medical needs for our community we have served for so many years,” says Jake Socha, CEO and President of Ernest Health.

“CUR was created by reallocating existing resources and beds within the hospital while ensuring that our current long-term acute care services were not disrupted,” says Reuben Jessop, Utah Market CEO of Ernest Health. “The hospital will continue providing the same level of critical long-term care to the area, but now it will also fulfill an unmet need for specialized rehabilitation. Because of Ernest Health’s expertise in both medical fields, we’ve successfully incorporated the rehabilitation unit into our facility, allowing patients to remain in the area to receive this type of care.”

One patient who recently benefited from CUR’s services is 67-year-old Suzanne Rich from Provo, Utah.

Rich underwent shoulder replacement surgery this past spring, which resulted in multiple complications. She required intubation and mechanical ventilation three days after surgery and later had a tracheostomy. After 27 days in intensive care, Rich was transferred to Utah Valley Specialty Hospital, where she continued to receive critical care, including ventilator support. She was monitored daily by a pulmonologist and the hospital’s medical team. As Rich’s recovery progressed, she was removed from the ventilator and prepared for inpatient rehabilitation. She chose to receive care at CUR, where she was treated by a physician-led interdisciplinary healthcare team and received 15 hours of therapy a week to help her gain function, strength, and endurance.

“I loved the rehabilitation I received,” Rich says. “They worked wonders for me; I don’t think there is anything they could do better. They helped me drink liquids safely and got me walking again. I want to tell the staff to keep up the good work. They were magnificent.”

After 19 days of inpatient rehabilitation, Rich was discharged from CUR and returned home. Upon departure, she was able to manage her activities of daily living with minimal assistance, and she and her family were educated on the proper use of her medications. The hospital staff also arranged resources to help her continue with her recovery from home.

“Suzanne’s success reflects how our patients’ and families’ lives improve after coming through our doors,” Jessop says. “At the hospital, we take our responsibility as healthcare providers seriously, offering hope and healing to every patient. I’m confident that in the years ahead, CUR will be a place of healing and miracles for many patients and their families.”

In addition to the 22 private patient rooms, CUR consists of a therapy gym featuring the latest in rehabilitative technology and equipment. The interdisciplinary healthcare team consists of physicians; rehabilitation nurses; physical, speech, and occupational therapists; dietitians; case managers; respiratory therapists; pharmacists; and other healthcare professionals.

Currently, plans are in place to offer outpatient rehabilitation through CUR this coming fall, which will include a Parkinson’s rehabilitation program.