Choosing the Best Acute Rehabilitation Program and Team

CPMC is proud to have some of the best acute rehabilitation specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area and the western United States. Our physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors and professional staff work closely with patients & families to help each individual achieve the highest function after an illness or injury.

Choosing the Best Acute Rehabilitation Program for You

Choosing the best comprehensive acute rehabilitation facility is a critical step towards regaining your full functional potential. The acute rehabilitation treatment facilities available for treating stroke, brain injury, and spine injury may seem overwhelming.

How do you go about choosing the best acute rehabilitation facility for you? Consult with your treating physician. Educate yourself, acute rehabilitation a rapidly evolving field and CPMC is home to one of the most modern facilities in the Western United States. The California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center serves as a national tertiary referral center with a distinguished reputation for providing access to advanced medicine. The Rehabilitation Center has been serving the needs of Northern California patients for more than 40 years and is accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for all of our acute rehabilitation specialty programs. These accreditations ensure that we meet the highest international standards of rehabilitation care.

At CPMC we understand that even with some of the best acute rehabilitation specialists in the San Francisco Bay Area and the western United States you have needs during and after your stay with us. The additional services provided to you will make your transition smoother and easier for you and your family.

The rehabilitation team shares the responsibility for treatment planning and goal setting. Rehabilitation is a life-long process and each patient's team of health care professionals integrates individualized physical needs with psychological, social, leisure, cultural and vocational needs.

Acute Rehabilitation Team

Physiatrist

Our Medical Director is a physiatrist who is a physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

• Leader of the rehabilitation team


• Provides clinical direction for rehabilitation treatment plan


• Establishes a medical diagnosis and prognosis and provides medical management


• Interprets results of radiological and laboratory findings and special testing results


• Prescribes treatments, medications and therapeutic aids

Primary Care Physician

The primary care physician is the patient's primary health care provider.

• Refers patients to the rehabilitation center


• Can choose to participate in patient's care or turns patient's care over to rehabilitation staff


• Receives clinical updates on rehabilitation progress

Patient and Their Family

The patient and their family are an integral part of each individual's rehabilitation.

• Participates in goal setting


• Provides emotional support and motivation

Rehabilitation Nurse

The rehabilitation nurse assists the patient in achieving their maximum independence acting as teacher, caregiver and patient advocate.

• Provides direct patient care


• Possesses specialized clinical skills to care for persons with physical disabilities and chronic illness


• Coordinates daily schedule and team activities


• Acts as a patient and family advocate


• Provides patient and family education

Occupational Therapist

The occupational therapist assesses functional limitations and designs a treatment plan to maximize patient's independence in daily living skills, work readiness and performance and leisure activities.

• Teaches self-care and other activities of daily living


• Addresses and teaches body mechanics, strength, sensation, coordination and endurance


• Educates the patient in the use of adaptive equipment and prosthetic devices


• Evaluates home management, prevocational activities and social skills


• Participates in adaptation of physical and social environment

Physical Therapist

The physical therapist assesses the patients physical capabilities and strength.

• Implements a treatment plan to improve functional mobility


• Identifies changes in strength, range of motion, balance, coordination endurance and muscle tone


• Teaches patients how to use prostheses, walking devices and wheelchairs

Recreation Therapist

The recreation therapist works with patients to design a recreation program based on individualized interests and lifestyle.

• Involves patient in recreational and leisure activities appropriate for age, disability and environment


• Coordinates group activities and socializing events in both hospital and community settings


• Provides community resources and community re-entry support

Speech Pathologist

Speech pathologists are available to assist, when necessary, with neurologic communication disorders and swallowing problems (dysphagia).

• Assesses communication ability


• Treats disorders of verbal and written language, articulation, fluency and interactive communication


• Treats comprehension, memory, and cognitive deficits


• Coordinates use of appropriate verbal and nonverbal augmentative communication system


• Directs treatment plan for patients with dysphagia

Respiratory Therapist

Respiratory therapists are available to evaluate patient's pulmonary needs.

• Implement appropriate pulmonary treatment plans


• Educates patients on pulmonary status

Psychologist/Neuropsychologist

The psychologist / neuropsychologist evaluates cognitive, intellectual and behavioral function.

• Counsels the patient and their family to facilitate recovery process


• Enhances the adjustment of the patient and their family to illness or injury

Case Management

Case management staff assists patients and their families with personal issues affected by disability.

• Evaluates current psychosocial adaptation to disability


• Reviews patient support network


• Examines housing, living arrangements and employment issues


• Discusses health care coverage, financial resources, and transportation issues


• Facilitates discharge planning

Clinical Dietician

Upon admission a clinical dietician assesses each individual's nutritional needs.

• Reviews nutritional preferences


• Recommends diet choices


• Provides nutrutional guidelines and education

California Pacific Regional Rehabilitation Center

Acute Rehabilitation

Regional Rehabilitation services at CPMC in San Francisco feature some of the top-rated rehabilitation physicians in the San Francisco Bay Area and northern California. We provide personalized patient care using the most advanced acute rehabilitation and outpatient rehabilitation therapy available. We serve communities throughout the Western United States including San Francisco, Marin County and all of Northern California.