A new approach to patient-centered care.

An opportunity existed at our rehabilitation hospital, in preparation for Medicare's Prospective Payment System (PPS) in acute medical rehabilitation, to develop an integrated inpatient care model using all available resources. The results have been an improved practice of all staff, increased efficiency and productivity, and increased staff and patient satisfaction. This article discusses the drivers for changing the team model within a large rehabilitation hospital. It includes an overview of the process of data gathering prior to changing the team model, how the new team model functions, and follow-up data collection 9 months after to provide evidence on what changes worked and what areas required further change to meet the objectives.