South Florida Baptist Hospital - Plant City, Florida

South Florida Baptist Hospital

301 N. Alexander St
Plant City, FL 33563

Location:Skilled Nursing Unit
4th Floor
(813) 757-8493

Skilled Nursing Unit

South Florida Baptist Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the area to offer the innovative concept of a Skilled Nursing Unit for people who don't require acute care treatment, but aren't yet ready to return home.

Since 1989, the 15-bed unit has been a Medicare-licensed facility where patients are cared for seven days a week by a team of nurses, physical and occupational therapists, social workers and other health care professionals. A nurse is on the unit around the clock. The services of the hospital laboratory, X-ray and other departments are conveniently nearby if the need arises.

Activities Planned Daily
Unlike other areas of the hospital, the Skilled Nursing Unit has an activities room and an activities coordinator who plans many social and recreational activities for patients and families. Bingo, travel videos, crafts and other activities take place daily. In-room activities are arranged for patients who can't leave their beds. Families are encouraged to visit frequently, to participate in activities and take an active role in the patient's recovery.
What type of patients are cared for in the unit?

* Patients must show signs of progress and recovery to be Medicare-eligible. The unit does not accept patients who require custodial or long-term care. Care is short-term: the average length of stay is 12 days
* Patients who have had a recent stroke and are medically stable, but need to regain their strength before participating in an intensive rehabilitation program, receive therapy services at a reduced level
* Patients who need IV antibiotics for more than a day treatment
* People recovering from a hip or knee implant.
* Cancer patients getting radiation may be too weak to travel back and forth from home
* Terminally ill patients at the end of life who require more support and pain control than is available at home