Transitional Care Unit

Services

• Skilled nursing care including wound care, IV therapy, IV antibiotics, respiratory therapy, or assistance with feedings
• Physical, occupational, or speech therapy provided in the TCU for patients' convenience
• Pain management care
• Daily nutritional and dietary support
• Discharge plan development with Case Manager beginning on day of admission, including long and short term needs
• Progress updates for families twice a week

Patient Care Providers

• Physicians include TCU medical director, patient's primary care physician, and various specialists
• Nursing staff including Director of Nursing. Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and Certified Nursing Assistants
• Physical Therapists to help patients regain muscle strength and mobility
• Occupational Therapists to help patients achieve independence in daily living activities
• Speech Therapists to enhance patient ability to communicate or swallow
• RN Case Manager assists patients and families to plan for lifestyle changes and future healthcare needs, assists in discharge planning, provides counseling, and makes referrals to appropriate community agencies as needed
• TCU Administrator and the Director of Nursing coordinate and manage the services patients receive and assists with questions or concerns 

Admission to Transitional Care Unit  

Patients who have been discharged from the hospital but need additional medical attention before returning home are admitted to the Transitional Care Unit. Medicare and select HMOs will most often cover Transitional Care services for up to 20 days. The Unit is not licensed for Medical Assistance and cannot provide care to patients on Medical Assistance. The Transitional Care Unit emphasizes restoration, skilled nursing care, and rehabilitation services to help residents return to his or her prior level of functioning. 

• Complete a three-day Medicare-approved hospital stay within the last 30 days; and if necessary, patients can be admitted directly from the Emergency Department
• An HMO authorization for admission to the Transitional Care Unit
• A discharge plan that helps the patient to return home or transfer to an appropriate healthcare facility
• Rehabilitation needs including physical, occupational, or speech therapy

Items to Bring from Home

• Patient's personal clothes, including night wear and a robe
• Toiletries
• Reading materials
• Photographs
• Electronic devices 
• Glasses, dentures, hearing aids, or any prostheses with storage cases including patient name
• List of current medications

Valuables, including jewelry and credit cards, should be left at the patient's home.

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Lee Campus, Second Floor
320 Main Street
Johnstown, PA 15901
Phone: (814) 534-6111