Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU)
Sarasota Memorial’s 34-bed Comprehensive Rehabilitation Unit (CRU) is dedicated to patients recovering from strokes, neurological disease and other disabling disorders of the muscles, bones and joints. It is medically supervised and staffed around-the-clock by the most highly skilled rehab professionals in the region.

Specialists from many disciplines work together to help patients and their families through each phase of their therapy and recovery. Our team is led by a board certified physiatrist (Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician) and includes certified rehabilitation registered nurse, occupational and physical therapists, a psychologist, speech/language pathologist, a nutritionist and case manager. Many others, including recreational therapists and social, vocational and pastoral counselors, also provide support.

CRU’s stroke program consists of education, medical management of the stroke process, and therapy treatment protocols with a focus on function that is specific for the individual patient, Its goal is to increase patient independence, to assist patients and their families in adjusting to illness or disability, and to successfully return them to the community by involving the patient and their families in all levels of the rehabilitation process as well as goal setting. As patients who have had a stroke may experience difficulty with movement, sensation, vision, eating, language, thinking, and emotional control, a comprehensive rehabilitation approach is necessary. Communication is maintained throughout the patient’s stay between patient/family and staff in order to assist with current needs as well as to assist with discharge planning, Weekly stroke education meetings are provided for patients and their family members focusing on the signs and symptoms of stroke, medications, stroke recovery and rehabilitation therapy, discharge planning, and risk factor modification to prevent a second stroke such as high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Community stroke survivors are invited to attend a monthly stroke education meeting focusing on post hospital stay issues.

Program Highlights
• Sarasota Memorial’s CRU is the only hospital-based rehab unit in Sarasota County capable of providing emergency access to important hospital services and health care specialists.
• Located inside Sarasota Memorial Hospital, our rehab unit is fully accredited by CARF- the highest level of accreditation for rehab hospitals. The accreditation also certifies Sarasota Memorial as a Stroke Specialty Program provider.
• Treatment includes a minimum 3 hours daily therapy, plus weekly team conferences to evaluate patient goals and progress.
• Region’s most advanced technology, including Robomedica’s Body Weight Support System to stimulate muscle movement for people unable to walk or participate in weight-bearing exercise. Especially beneficial for those limited by stroke or other neurological conditions, the computerized harness and treadmill system protects patients from falling while helping them safely participate in rehabilitation therapy.

Upon discharge, Sarasota Memorial provides a variety of follow-up services to ensure an optimal recovery, including home care, a skilled nursing & rehabilitation center and customized outpatient programs in convenient neighborhood care centers.

Admission & Referrals to CRU
For patient evaluation or a physician consultation, call the Sarasota Memorial Rehabilitation Services at 941-917-7622.