Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital expands services

POST FALLS — Northern Idaho Advanced Care Hospital announced Monday that it will expand local services through the opening of a new 17-bed rehabilitation unit in Post Falls. 

The inpatient rehabilitation unit will provide specialized rehabilitative care to more than 300 patients annually who have experienced disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses or chronic medical conditions.  

“Bringing additional inpatient rehabilitative care to our Post Falls campus is a meaningful step forward in how we serve this region,” CEO and President of Ernest Health Jake Socha said. “It allows us to expand our support for post-acute medical needs in an area we’ve proudly cared for over many years in addition to expanding on our current joint venture relationship with Kootenai Medical Center.”

NIACH, operated by Ernest Health, is a long-term acute care facility specializing in critical care for patients recovering from serious illnesses or injuries. It shares a campus with Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, a 30-bed medical rehabilitation hospital also operated by Ernest Health.  

With the addition of the new rehabilitation unit, the two hospitals will offer a combined total of 47 intensive medical rehabilitation beds on their shared campus. 

According to Sara Ambrose, chief executive officer of NIACH, the hospital will continue to provide the same level of critical and long-term acute care to the area, while now helping to meet a growing need for specialized medical rehabilitation. 

“Because of Ernest Health’s expertise in both medical fields, we’ve successfully incorporated the rehabilitation unit seamlessly into our facility,” Ambrose said. “We want to ensure that more patients have timely access to high-quality, rehabilitative care so they can maximize their recoveries, achieve optimal outcomes and ultimately regain independence and quality of life.” 

The hospital’s rehabilitation unit was created by reconfiguring existing areas within the facility. 

In addition to 17 new private patient rooms, NIACH’s inpatient rehabilitation unit includes a 3,700-square-foot therapy space featuring the latest rehabilitative technology and equipment, a suite that emulates home conditions, a warm water aquatic therapy pool with an electronic lift and a therapeutic courtyard. 

“Kootenai Health is proud to already partner with Ernest Health and Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest, and we are excited to see this expansion of care in our community with this new joint venture,” Kootenai Health Executive Director of Ancillary and Support Services Tim Swartz said. “These 17 additional inpatient rehabilitation beds will go a long way toward meeting the growing rehabilitative needs of our region and ensuring patients continue to receive the highest level of care close to home.” 

Patients are treated by an interdisciplinary healthcare team consisting of physicians, rehabilitation nurses, physical, speech and occupational therapists; dietitians; case managers; respiratory therapists; pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.  

The team will work with each patient and their family members to customize care plans that include at least 15 hours a week of physical, occupational, or speech therapy, along with 24/7 rehabilitative nursing care. 

“Our goal is to help our patients maximize their recoveries so they can return home quickly to the activities they enjoy,” Ambrose said.