Mary Free Bed

Working with the right rehabilitation hospital can be critical to your health and well-being, but often times, knowing the right questions to ask of a given rehab hospital can be daunting at best. Rehabilitation hospitals may all have different approaches, different staff qualifications and expertise, and different areas of specialization. Where to start? Here.

Based on real-life questions that every consumer should ask, this question-and-answer checklist is meant to help you identify which rehabilitation hospital will best meet your needs. See how the leading rehabilitation hospitals answer these key questions, as we continue to expand the number of rehab hospitals included.

Families are encouraged to take notes when asking these questions as a way to both compare programs and understand what to expect of the rehabilitation facility chosen.

  • How many patients who have injuries similar to the patient I know are treated per year at this facility?
  • Mary Free Bed is a nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital complex devoted exclusively to providing comprehensive rehabilitation services for adults and children particularly those affected by spinal injuries, brain injuries, strokes, amputation and other life-changing events. Mary Free Bed treats over 900 patients a year in our inpatient program.
  • How many patients are being treated for this type of injury right now?
  • Mary Free Bed is an 80-bed facility. The number of inpatients varies per day.
  • Are there patients here whose ages are about the same as the patient I know?
  • Mary Free Bed treats patients of all ages with both inpatient and outpatient services.
  • Is the facility a specialty center, and if so, for how long has it focused on that specialization? What specialty accreditations does the facility have?
  • Mary Free Bed is a specialty rehabilitation hospital that has been in operation in West Michigan for 120 years. We are accredited with the Joint Commission, CARF and the Michigan Department of Community Health. We have received numerous quality awards including the 2009 Quality Leadership Award – Michigan’s highest honor for organizational performance excellence.
  • How many years of experience do the physicians have, on average? Staff?
  • On average physicians have 20 years of experience and staff have 12 years.
  • How long have the physicians practiced at the facility? Are they full-time or part-time?
  • We have full-time, board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians on staff. Most of them with 10 or more years of service at Mary Free Bed.
  • Which physicians, therapists, and other professionals will work with the patient I know?
  • Each patient works with an integrated team of specialists that includes physicians, nurses, therapists, social workers and other staff specific to the patient’s injury.
  • Who will be the patient’s primary physician, and does he/she specialize in this particular injury?
  • Every Mary Free Bed patient has a physiatrist who is the primary care provider while an inpatient at Mary Free Bed. Our physiatrists are specialized per the type of program the patient is in.
  • Is air transportation available?
  • Air transportation is available at Kent County International Airport (also known as Gerald R. Ford International Airport).
  • Are specialty education programs available for patients and families? What are they?
  • We provide a wide variety of specialty programs available for patients and families. Mary Free Bed views family and patient education to be a key component of rehabilitation. Please visit our website www.maryfreebed.com for more information.
  • What is the family’s role? What are the policies regarding family visitation?
  • Family members or those who will help care for the patient post-Mary Free Bed are encouraged to take part in the therapy sessions whenever possible. Suggested visiting hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Beyond these times, visiting hours are tailored to meet patient needs. Suggested visiting hours for visitors other than immediate family are 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 4 – 8 p.m. as a patient will likely be in therapy other times of the day.
  • Is there designated low cost housing available near your facility?
  • The Inn at Mary Free Bed, located on the Mary Free Bed campus, which offers guests handicapped accessible rooms that are extra spacious. Each room is equipped with a telephone, flat screen TV, wireless access, individually controlled temperatures, a small refrigerator, sinks inside and outside the bathroom, and roll-in shower. There are two lounges, one for breakfast service, and another sitting area with a computer workstation. Reserved parking is available outside The Inn at Mary Free Bed entrance on the third level of the parking ramp. Cost is $35 per night; reservations are required. Please visit www.MaryFreeBed.com/TheInn to learn more. If a family lives more than 80 miles away and needs to be present for rehab orientation or patient education, they may be eligible for assistance in paying for local accommodations. A Mary Free Bed social worker, who patients and families meet on their first day can provide more information. Accommodations at the local Ronald McDonald House are available for parents of pediatric patients, 0-18 years old, for a small charge. The house is minutes away from Mary Free Bed. Transportation is often available from the Ronald McDonald House to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Call 616.776.1300 or visit www.WMRMH.org for more information.
  • Who will help with discharge planning before the patient comes home?
  • A patient’s Mary Free Bed treatment team works closely with the patient and family before discharge. Depending on specific needs, this may include acquiring equipment, ongoing treatment instructions, and medications. Discharge planning begins on the day a patient arrives at Mary Free Bed.
  • Are long-term follow-up services provided? If so, what are they?
  • Mary Free Bed does provide long-term follow-up services after a patient is discharged from one of our inpatient programs. The patient’s physician will decide to follow-up with the patient at the Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Clinic, located on the first floor of the Inpatient Building, or a patient may be referred to in-home therapy or to Mary Free Bed's Outpatient Therapy Center. Our multidisciplinary teams work with the patient to tailor a treatment plan to meet needs.
  • Are the physicians and staff currently involved with research and training? If so, in what areas?
  • Yes, some of our physicians and staff are currently involved in research and training. Research is being done in psychology and motion analysis fields.
  • What is the caseload size for the nursing, treatment, and counseling staff?
  • Caseload for nursing, staff and psychology staff is variable based on the needs of the patients at various levels of rehabilitation.