As someone who has been employed at RIOSA, I can say that there are definate pro's and con's about RIOSA, but more pro's than cons. If you are willing, able, and need to have 3 hours of therapy every day, I definately recommend it. \r
\r
The licensed therapists all have either master's or doctorates, so they really know what they're doing. It is true that there is unlicensed help, but they only strictly follow what the therapist tells them to do with the patients. They are called Techs. Most techs are already studying therapy or applying to therapy schools, which says alot for RIOSA because at most other facilities, techs are just anyone you could pull off the street. Everybody in our rehab department has a true love for making people well and work to their maximal potential each and every day to see that happen.\r
\r
Therapy and nursing are slightly under staffed at this time, so things are kind of hectic, especially with all the renovations going on, but we are trying to resolve that as fast as possible. We do have a lot of contract nurses right now, which makes it difficult to get top notch nursing care, because most aren't around long enough to ""learn the ropes"" so to speak, and so patient care decreases subsequently.\r
\r
As for the Doctor with a few seconds comment below... I have never seen more attentive doctors than the ones at RIOSA. These doctors even come down to the therapy gym to check on their patients! All the other hospitals I have worked at, the doc is in the room for 2 seconds, does a quick screen, asks 2-5 questions, and is out... no time for patient questions, leave those to the nurse. The food is bad, and the cafeteria's only open during lunch mon-fri. And case managers are awesome and on the ball with getting exactly what the patient needs. Our cognitive therapy is top notch.\r
\r
If you need aggressive neuro rehab I wouldn't recommend anywhere else, but don't come if you just want pampered all day long. You will be here to work to get better.
Pros: docs, therapy service/knowledge, parking, effectiveness of rehab
Cons: food, nurse service
more