Choosing the Right Rehabilitation Center

Finding the right treatment when you or a loved one is facing rehabilitation from an illness or injury can feel overwhelming, but we are available to help you make the choice that’s right for you. Remember, you do have options. The information here can help you make a decision. If you have questions, please contact us.
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Not all rehabilitation centers are the same. The Sam Karas Acute Rehabilitation Center values personalized care, and has a comprehensive team to serve each patient. We include the patient and their family in all care planning and decision making. We also have Spanish-speaking therapists and staff, and highly qualified interpreter services.
Learn more about our Language Access Services >

We hope these questions will help you when researching different facilities.

  1. How long has the facility/center been open?
  2. What types of therapy are offered?
  3. What is the staff-to-patient ratio?
  4. Does the atmosphere of the facility/center project a warm, friendly and supportive feeling?
  5. Is management available for answering concerns?
  6. Can you meet my/my loved one’s specific needs (feeding tube, speech/hearing problems, etc.)?
  7. Will we receive patient progress reports?
  8. What percentage of patients from your facility return home?
  9. Is there communication with patients/families after discharge?
  10. Is a physician available 24 hours a day?
  11. Will the patient be seen by a physician daily?
  12. Will therapy be done at least 3 times a day, 5 days a week?

Differences Between Acute Rehabilitation Centers and Skilled Nursing Facilities
Patients typically receive a higher level of care at acute rehabilitation centers than at skilled nursing facilities. The following chart compares the two different types of facilities and the services they provide. Of course, these services can vary from one facility to another.

Services Sam Karas Acute Rehab Center Average Skilled Nursing Facility
Daily visits by a rehabilitation physician as needed X
Multidisciplinary team approach X X
Specialized rehab nurses X X
Leading-edge rehabilitation expertise X
Interdisciplinary therapists with acute rehab experience X
State-of-the-art therapy gyms and rehabilitation technology X
Required minimum therapy hours 3 hours/day; 5 days/week No minimum requirement
Required RN oversight and availability 24/7 8 hours/day
Required nursing hours per patient, per day 5-7 hours/day 2-4 hours/day

Internationally Accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities International (CARF). Natividad is the only hospital in the area that is CARF-Accredited for Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs Hospital: Stroke Specialty Programs (Adults).

Top 10% of Rehabilitation Facilities by Uniform Data System (UDS). The ranking certifies that Natividad provides care that is effective, efficient, timely and patient-centered. Natividad ranked second in the nation out of approximately 900 rehab units for Overall Quality and Outcomes for Acute Rehabilitation Units by UDS.

Ranked 1st in Quality and Outcomes by Kindred Healthcare’s Acute Rehabilitation Centers evaluation. 88% of our patients transition back home following treatment.

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Sam Karas Acute Rehabilitation Center
Natividad
1441 Constitution Blvd.
Bldg 100
Salinas, CA 93906
(831) 755-5570