Frequently Asked Questions

A patient is typically ready for inpatient rehabilitation when they are medically stable, able to participate in intensive therapy, show potential for functional improvement and have adequate psychosocial support. Inpatient rehabilitation is specialized, intensive therapy provided in a hospital setting.

Inpatient rehabilitation at TIRR Memorial Hermann is a rigorous, personalized, and comprehensive program led by an interdisciplinary team that blends hands-on therapy, functional skills practice, medical oversight and family education to help patients. This may include:

• A team of doctors, nurses and therapists trained to help recovery
• Therapy at least three hours a day, five to seven days a week
• Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, depending upon patient needs
• 24-hour rehabilitation nursing care

TIRR Memorial Hermann accepts patients as young as six months old, including those from across the country and around the world. Our admissions team conducts a thorough pre-admission screening, gathering comprehensive information about each patient’s medical diagnosis and functional status to assess the appropriateness of inpatient rehabilitation.

A rehabilitation physician, or their designee, reviews this information to determine acceptance into one of our programs.

A patient is admitted to TIRR Memorial Hermann after a preadmission screening has been conducted by our nurse liaisons and admissions representatives, and the patient has been deemed medically appropriate for admission and insurance coverage has been verified.

TIRR Memorial Hermann accepts most major health plans. We are committed to working with your doctor, insurance provider and employer to provide you full access to our health care services. View our list of insurance affiliates to see which insurance plans are accepted.

A patient’s expected discharge date is determined during the first week of admission, after a full evaluation by the care team. However, a patient’s estimated length of stay and discharge date may be adjusted during their stay, based on their progress and continued appropriateness for inpatient rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation patients are evaluated by a physician and members of the care team within 24 hours of admission. Based on this evaluation, a personalized care plan and therapy schedule are created to address the patient’s specific needs.

Our facility offers both private and semi-private rooms. Room assignments are assigned based on diagnosis and medical necessity. Circumstances/situations related to safety may take priority in room assignments.

Patient rooms feature a TV and private bathroom, as well as visitor seating and sleeping options.

We recommend a patient bring the following for their stay at TIRR Memorial Hermann:

• Loose clothing that is easy to put on and remove, such as sweatpants and T-shirts
• Depending on the therapy goals, the patient may need something with buttons, but normally pullover shirts and elastic-waist pants are most appropriate
• Shoes that don’t slip or slide; tennis shoes are encouraged. It may be necessary to provide shoes one size larger than normal due to swelling in the feet, which is common after injury
• Undergarments (bras, socks, underwear).
• Toiletries (toothbrush, hairbrush, personal grooming products, etc.)

As much as possible, we encourage bringing items from home that represent a person’s personality prior to injury. It may not be necessary to purchase many new items.

NOTE – Please DO NOT bring:

• Large sums of money, jewelry or valuables
• Razors or weapons of any kind
• Appliances (coffee makers, blenders or space heaters are not allowed)

All patients will receive a copy of the TIRR Memorial Hermann Guide for Patients and Families. This Guide includes more information about patient rooms, facility features and more.

Access the TIRR Memorial Hermann Patient Guide

The goal for acute inpatient rehabilitation is to provide a daily minimum of three hours of therapy, at least five days per week. The maximum amount of daily therapy a patient would receive is approximately six hours.

TIRR Memorial Hermann patients may have access to the following services and opportunities during their stay:

• Therapy gyms
• Individual and group therapy, including weekend therapy sessions
• Adapted Technology Lab
• Aquatic therapy
• Facility therapy dog interaction
• Music therapy
• Therapeutic recreation
• Community outings to address functional abilities
• Support groups and counseling
• Designated education classes and individualized training for families and caregivers
• Wheelchair seating and positioning customization

• Chapel and spiritual care
• Interpreters and Translation Services
• Pharmacy
• Clinical laboratory
• Neurological sleep medicine center
• Urodynamics
• Specialty physician clinics
• Guest relations

The highly skilled rehabilitation team at TIRR Memorial Hermann addresses the complex medical, physical and psychosocial challenges patients face as they work to reach their full potential. Care teams collaborate with patients and families to develop and implement a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

Interdisciplinary team members may include:

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians/specialists*
• Rehabilitation nurses
• Physical, occupational and speech-language therapists
• Pharmacists
• Case managers
• Respiratory care practitioners
• Developmental and educational specialists
• Music therapists
• Social workers
• Mental health providers
• Dietitians
• Chaplains
• Facility therapy dog
• Other special services as appropriate

*Physiatrists, or rehabilitation physicians, are specialists in nerves, muscles and bones who treat injuries or illnesses that affect movement. They complete specialized training in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Many of our physicians are affiliated with the renowned McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston and Baylor College of Medicine.

Yes. And at TIRR Memorial Hermann, we understand that children are not just small adults. Pediatric and adolescent patients who have experienced life-altering injuries or illnesses have unique medical and therapeutic needs during their recovery journey. Our highly specialized pediatric physicians and clinicians are dedicated to providing exceptional care to help children make the progress they need to return to their families, schools and communities.

Learn more about our Pediatric & Adolescent Rehabilitation

The caregiver role is critical to the rehabilitation process.

Throughout the rehab stay, we are committed to sharing with caregivers the information and skills needed to care for your loved one. We will provide caregivers with opportunities to practice new skills with guidance from our staff. We encourage involvement in daily care and decision-making. Your participation as a caregiver is valued and encouraged; we invite you to attend therapies and collaborate with all members of the rehab team. The entire care team serves as guides along the recovery journey, to help you feel comfortable as your loved one prepares to leave the hospital setting.

A wide variety of diagnostic imaging services are available onsite, such as diagnostic radiographs (X-rays), fluoroscopic studies, ultrasound and Doppler studies, as well as other medical support services such as pharmacy, clinical laboratory, urodynamics and specialty physician clinics. The availability of these onsite services allows for a timely response to all inpatient referrals.

If patients require MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), nuclear studies, surgical intervention or other services not provided onsite at TIRR Memorial Hermann, patients will be scheduled at other facilities in or near the Texas Medical Center. Scheduling is dependent upon payor authorization, availability of services and how quickly the patient needs the diagnostic services.

Our therapy program focuses on both recovering lost movement and building functional skills for daily living. Therapists use hands-on techniques and exercises to help activate and strengthen weaker limbs whenever possible.

We work on:

• Cognition and communication (speaking, memory, processing)
• Activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, toileting)
• Mobility skills (bed mobility, transfers, standing, walking, stairs)

Aquatic (pool) therapy and bodyweight-supported treadmill training may also be used when appropriate to support strength and walking recovery.

Therapy is typically provided Monday through Friday, with up to six hours per day, depending on your needs and endurance. Weekend therapy and group sessions are also available based on your individual condition and recovery plan.

Your ability to sit upright and tolerate activity along with your medical and nursing needs all help determine the right therapy schedule for you. Our interdisciplinary team works together to create a personalized plan designed to maximize your progress, safely and effectively.

The affiliated interdisciplinary care team provides discharge recommendations based on the patient’s medical needs and functional abilities. These recommendations aim to support the patient’s independence in the least restrictive setting possible, while prioritizing safety and considering caregiver responsibilities.

When it is time to leave the hospital, your attending physician will write the discharge orders. Before you go, your nurses will review follow-up care with you, including medications, diet and instructions for self-care at home.

From the beginning of a patient’s stay, we plan for what comes next. Our team works closely with you to allow for a smooth transition home. The goal is for patients to discharge home with their family in a family vehicle. If that is not an option, the case management team will help you determine the safest transport options as well as any associated costs, as this type of transportation is not usually covered by a patient’s medical insurance.

Our case management and social work staff will assist with coordinating any post discharge needs to allow for a seamless transition to the next level of care. We assist with arranging physician follow-up appointments and will coordinate any special equipment needs that you may have. If indicated, patients may be referred for follow-up visits after discharge with TIRR Memorial Hermann-affiliated physicians in the TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Medical Clinic.

Yes. With 14 locations offering multiple levels of adult and pediatric inpatient and outpatient therapy and a TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient Medical Clinic, we offer comprehensive access to high-quality outpatient care across Greater Houston.

Outpatient rehabilitation allows the patient to:

• Continue with needed treatment, yet be at home with family
• Problem-solve issues they are encountering in the real world
• Immediately practice and apply skills learned during a therapy session, in the home and community

More about Outpatient Therapy

Hospital visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Family and friends play an integral part in the healing process, and for this reason we encourage visitation and participation in activities.

Patients may have an overnight visitor for the purpose of providing emotional support and physical assistance. However, if a patient is a minor, only family members or guardians will be permitted to stay overnight.

More Visiting Guidelines

A variety of meal services are offered to our patients and families. Patients can order from a specialized menu in accordance with their physician’s orders and eat in their rooms. Patients with no dietary restrictions can request to eat in the café with choices from the café menu. Dining can be enjoyed with family and friends in the café dining room or in the outdoor areas.

Delivery services are welcome to drop off items at our main entrance located at 1333 Moursund St. Drivers can enter Lot GG by pulling a parking ticket. No parking fees are charged if the driver remains for 15 minutes or less. All deliveries are to be dropped off at the front desk. After-hours deliveries can be placed on the table in the main entrance for pickup.

TIRR Memorial Hermann is located in the Texas Medical Center, at 1333 Moursund St., Houston, Texas, 77030. There is limited surface parking available in Lot GG. The nearest parking garage is Texas Medical Center Garage 6 located at 1300 Moursund St., at the corner of Moursund St. and MD Anderson Blvd.

The Texas Medical Center operates multiple parking facilities for visitors and offers daily and multi-day parking options. Visit https://www.tmc.edu/parking/visitor-parking/ for more information.

Laundry facilities are available onsite in units 3C and 5 for patient and family use. We cannot guarantee the availability of our staff to do a patient’s personal laundry, but the patient, family or caregivers are welcome to use the washers and dryers free of charge. We do ask that you provide your own laundry detergent and follow the instructions for cleaning the washer and dryer following use.