Free-standing acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital enhanced practices and policies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

This special report was developed to communicate policy and procedures for free-standing acute inpatient rehabilitation hospitals (AIRHs) to protect patients and healthcare personnel and to prevent further spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The recommended policies were developed in conjunction with the New Mexico Department of Health and hospital leadership. As we attain additional knowledge and experience during this pandemic, suggestions of best practice will continue to evolve for AIRHs. The authors encourage readers to work with local regulatory officials to ensure regulatory compliance as well as respect of the availability of local resources.

Keywords

• acute rehabilitation
• coronavirus disease
• COVID-19
• healthcare policy
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2