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South Texas Health System’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Departments have done it again. The departments at South Texas Health System McAllen and STHS Edinburg rank among the top 10% in the nation for the second year in a row. While healthcare is always changing, the team of physical rehabilitation professionals at the system’s largest acute care facilities is dedicated to improving the quality of life for patients in their care by helping them achieve optimal health and reach their full functional potential.

The STHS Inpatient Rehabilitation Departments provide comprehensive patient evaluation and treatment, educate patients and families, and consult with other healthcare providers. Therapy services include physical, occupational and speech therapy.

After suffering a major medical event like a stroke or heart attack, or a traumatic injury that impairs movement and/or speech, getting back to one’s accustomed lifestyle can seem impossible. The inpatient physical rehabilitation unit is designed to help patients rebuild their strength and endurance and achieve their highest level of recovery after a debilitating injury or illness.

“To recognize the efficient and effective care it provides to its patients, we are pleased to present this award to the South Texas Health System Inpatient Rehabilitation Department,” said Troy Hillman, Manager of the Analytical Services Group at the Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabilitation (UDSMR, LLC). As the creator and caretaker of the nation’s largest database of rehabilitation outcomes, and with over 30 years of experience and data, UDSMR, LLC continues working with the industry to establish best practices.

With its high standards of operation, South Texas Health System’s Inpatient Rehabilitation programs at STHS McAllen and STHS Edinburg both rank in the top 10% of Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) in the United States per the UDSMR, LLC for cases discharged between October 2021 and September 2022. For this ranking, 861 inpatient rehabilitation facilities were evaluated through a case-mix and severity-adjusted tool that provides a composite performance score and percentile ranking drawn from more than 80% of all IRFs in the country.

“This recognition is proof to the people of the Rio Grande Valley that some of the best inpatient rehabilitation care in the nation is available right here in our community,” says Alondra Mercado, Interim Director of Inpatient Rehabilitation, South Texas Health System McAllen. “I am beyond proud of our system-wide team who works tirelessly to serve the community every day by helping to restore confidence in their health.”

The development of UDSMR's PEM Report Card has served as an instrument to identify high-performing facilities, to learn how they provide effective and efficient care and to share what we learn with others to improve the performance of all.

During this most recent ranking period, 849 patients received treatment at both of South Texas Health System’s acute care facilities with inpatient rehabilitation services, and this is the system’s first year earning this designation. Additionally, the program ranks in the 98th percentile of the 861 inpatient rehab facilities that ranked among the top 10%.

“We have individualized patient-centered rehabilitation plans that are framed by realistic goals given the patient’s impairments,” states Mercado.

Each facility’s inpatient units are equipped with advanced technology and equipment in a post-pandemic-safe environment, with individual rooms and bathrooms for patients.