In March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), to be a pandemic. Public health authorities around the world took action to contain the spread of COVID-19 and manage its impact.
COVID-19 is unlike any other illness we’ve experienced. Fear of the unknown is impacting many, and those recovering from the virus often face many long-standing issues. As we recognize this virus may be with us for some time to come, FILOKTITIS MEDICAL REHABILITATION CENTER has developed a new service to meet the emerging needs called the “Post COVID-19 Rehabilitation and Recovery Unit”. The service was developed for patients discharging from acute care following a COVID-19 illness may need additional specialized rehabilitative care to regain their strength, endurance, and cognitive function. The program addresses both the current and long-term needs of those affected by the pandemic.
While most people develop mild or uncomplicated forms of COVID-19, it is estimated that approximately 14% are associated with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and may require hospitalization and oxygen support, and 5% require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).
Our unit provides specialized and custom-made rehabilitation program to meet individual patient’s needs and requirements. It has been shown that patients who receive two to four weeks of intensive inpatient rehabilitation have significantly better functional outcomes and are more likely to return safely to the community or home with improved functional and cognitive abilities compared to patients who go straight from an acute setting after being stabilized to those same environments.
Rehabilitation may reduce complications associated with admission to an ICU, such as post intensive care syndrome (PICS); it aims to optimize a patient’s recovery and reduce the experience of disability. Inpatient rehabilitation, may help address many consequences of severe COVID-19, including physical, cognitive and psychosocial consequences. Older patients, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more vulnerable to the effects of severe illness, and rehabilitation is particularly beneficial for maintaining their prior levels of independence and function.