Rehabilitation Services

Advocate South Suburban Hospital offers comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for patients recovering from a serious injury or illness. Specially trained therapists in physical and occupational therapy and speech and language pathology work with patients to help them return to their optimal functioning level as quickly as possible.

Individualized, focused therapy is provided to children and adults while still in the hospital as well as on an outpatient basis. A complete rehabilitation department dedicated to restorative patient care is also located within our Skilled Nursing Facility.

Rehabilitation therapy offers significant benefits to individuals recovering from a wide range of surgeries, illnesses and injuries, and those with ongoing medical conditions including:

• Arthritis
• Joint replacement
• Orthopedic surgery
• Stroke and other neurological conditions
• History of falls/balance problems
• Open wounds
• Amputation

Physical Therapy
Physical therapists work with patients to help them regain mobility and strength and restore function. Patients who are hospitalized due to an illness, injury or othopedic surgery are prepared physically for their return home or for a move to an extended-care or skilled nursing facility. Patients requiring ongoing treatment following a hospital stay and those recovering from an outpatient surgery or injury not requiring hospitalization, receive physical therapy as an outpatient.

Physical therapists also assist neurologically impaired patients refine movements to improve balance and coordination. Our therapists also work closely with amputee patients to provide care during what is often a difficult time for patients. The physical therapists visit with the patient prior to and directly following their surgery, provide physical therapy while in the hospital and prepare them for their prosthesis while in the skilled nursing facility.

Medical Staff
Our staff consists of licensed physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and rehabilitation aides. All members participate in continuing education programs to ensure that our patients receive the latest therapies available.

Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help persons to improve their ability to perform functional activities used in daily living and in dealing with environmental barriers. Activities commonly focused on while an individual is hospitalized include those that foster increased independence, such as dressing and bathing, eating with utensils and standing by a sink or counter. Occupational therapists also arrange for assistive devices and make referrals for home health care, to improve the functionality of our patients' homes based on their individual needs.

Occupational therapy services available on an outpatient basis include lymphedema treatments that relieve pain and increase function for individuals with swollen limbs due to a chronic health condition. (Lymphedema can be one of the possible side effects of breast cancer surgery.) Outpatient occupational therapists also work with a wide range of arm and hand injuries and surgeries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Speech and Language Pathology
Speech and language pathologist work with patients to remediate speech and swallowing difficulties. Following a serious illness or injury, speech pathologists complete a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of a patient's ability to speak or swallow and based on this evaluation, develop goals and an individualized therapy plan.

Depending on the patient's condition, the evaluation may include a video flouroscopic swallow study. This test allows speech pathologists to definitively assess swallow function towards establishing a safe and proper diet.

South Suburban Hospital's speech pathologists treat a wide range of conditions in children and adults, and specialize in neurological impairments such as stroke or brain injuries. Treatment is offered on an inpatient and outpatient basis and to skilled nursing facility patients.

Impairments Treated

• speech
• language
• cognitive
• swallowing
• voice
• dysfluency (stuttering)

Medical Staff
South Suburban Hospital's speech pathologists have completed a master's level education and a clinical fellowship in their field. They are licensed speech language pathologists, members of the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association and have more than eight years of related experience.

Physician Referral
A referral from your physician is required to receive rehabilitation therapy.

More Information
For more information about South Suburban Hospital's rehabilitation services, call 708-799-8000, extension 3825.

Convenient Location
South Suburban Hospital is easily accessible from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), I-80 and I-57.

Parking for rehabilitation outpatients is conveniently located near the hospital's west entrance.

17800 South Kedzie Avenue
Hazel Crest, IL 60429
(708) 799-8000

Click here for map and directions.