POST FALLS - The new Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest is off and running.

The 30-bed, 33,000-square-foot acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital along Interstate 90 has received accreditation from The Joint Commission, an independent nonprofit that ensures medical facilities are committed to meet performance standards.

"We're providing an option in North Idaho that wasn't there in the past," said Dave Cox, the hospital's CEO.

Cox formerly was the pain clinic program manager at Spokane's St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute, the Post Falls facility's main competitor.

RHN created 95 new jobs and opened Dec. 16. It treats patients with trauma, spinal-cord, sports-related, hip, burn or brain injuries, those who have had a stroke and others.

Hospital officials bill it as the only freestanding acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital in North Idaho. It is a joint venture between Ernest Health Inc. and Kootenai Health.

"We're meeting a need that was in the community," said Linda Murphy, RHN marketing director.

"The average length of stay is two weeks."

The facility includes a therapy pool and courtyard, private rooms, educational day rooms for patients to adjust to regular living routines and the Gathering Place cafeteria. Patients choose their meals at the cafeteria and eat together.

RHN has treated 42 patients, including 40 during its "demonstration phase" prior to receiving accreditation.

Cox said giving families a choice with rehabilitation hospitals is important so they don't have to travel as far to see their loved ones.

"If you're even 35 or 40 minutes away, that can be a burden on families," Cox said.

RHN, which will hold a grand opening March 12 from 4-7 p.m., has purchased 1.5 acres next to the hospital for future expansion.

Ernest Health also owns the Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital next door to RHN, but the two facilities are separate entities. NIACH, which opened in 2006, is a long-term acute care facility that specializes in treating seriously ill or medically complex patients.

• Grand opening set

A grand opening celebration for the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, near the Highway 41 interchange in Post Falls at 3372 E. Jenalan Ave. in Post Falls, will be on Wednesday, March 12, from 4-7 p.m. There will be refreshments, tours and a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The public is invited.