Methodist Extended Care Hospital

Methodist Extended Care Hospital (MECH) staff is trained to provide highly individualized care of patients who are medically fragile and still require specialized nursing care and intensive therapies through an extended hospital stay. While at MECH, patients get the acute care they need to ensure a smooth transition to home, skilled care, nursing home, rehabilitation facility or to home health care. 

The Patient Care Team includes Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Medical Social Workers, Rehabilitation Therapists, Respiratory Therapists, Specialized Case Managers, Chaplain and Patient Educators. Together they develop and implement comprehensive programs and focused care to assist the patient and family to the highest functional level. Most medical care is delivered directly at the bedside; therefore, patients are not hurried here and there. This provides consistency and opportunities for patients and families to be more involved in their care. 

The majority of our patients stay 10-25 days. The longer length of stay and the lower nurse-patient ratio provide an opportunity for staff to develop a close, trusting and healing relationship with the patient and their families with unrestricted visiting hours. Methodist Extended Care Hospital services are designed for a unique patient population that flourishes in the patient-centered focus of the interdisciplinary team. We specialize in medically complex wound care, low intensity rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation and ventilator weaning. 

For questions or for more information on MECH please contact a MECH representative at (901) 516-2595.

MECH is located on the fourth and fifth floors of the Thomas Wing of Methodist University Hospital.

Our specialized programs include, but are not limited to: 

Rehabilitation Program

The MECH rehabilitation team consists of highly trained physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists who are dedicated to helping each patient reach his or her goals and return to a higher quality of life. All patients admitted to our hospital receive individualized care that includes one-on-one visits by each discipline of the rehabilitation team to determine the best strategy for optimal care. 

We provide skilled evaluations and custom treatments for the following conditions:

• Stroke and Neurological Conditions
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Post-Surgical and Orthopedic Injury
• Prosthetic and Orthotic Training
• Balance Training
• General Conditioning

Ventilator Weaning Program

Methodist Extended Care Hospital's ventilator program uses evidence-based protocols to provide a progressive customized plan of care for our patients. We provide individualized programs for patients with acute or chronic respiratory disorders who may have artificial airways, ventilators or require extensive respiratory treatments to maintain normal breathing without mechanical support. We also offer basic ventilator and tracheotomy care training for those who will be caring for the needs of a loved one. A three-year study of ventilator patients was conducted within our facility to determine the best patient-to-therapist ratio and to develop a standard protocol of care following best practice models. As a result, we have had tremendous success in ventilator weaning, which has lowered 30 days on the ventilator to an average of less than 8 days. 

Conditions we see in this program include:

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Acute Respiratory Failure

Our clinical interdisciplinary team works together to provide individualized care. Physician-directed treatment plans are enhanced by a bedside evaluation, assessment and plan performed by a respiratory therapist.  This program is overseen by the Mid-South Pulmonary Specialists, P.C. group. 

Wound Care Program

The MECH wound care program treats patients with impaired tissue integrity who are at high risk for complications. The program utilizes the latest in evidence-based medical and technological treatment of wounds, customized specifically to the individual patient. The goal is to help wounds heal, ultimately allowing the patient greater comfort and improved quality of life. 

After a comprehensive evaluation of the history and current status of the wound, our specially trained wound care team develops an individualized treatment plan and carefully monitors the patient's progress. The wound care team consists of:

• Consulting Physicians
• Wound Care Nurse
• Physical Therapist
• Nutritionist

Types of wounds that would benefit from the MECH wound care program include:

• Arterial/Venous Ulcers
• Pressure Ulcers
• Diabetic/Neuropathic Ulcers
• Surgical Debridement
• Post-Surgical or Amputation Complications

For questions or for more information on MECH, please contact a MECH representative at (901) 516-2595.

Careers at Methodist Extended Care Hospital

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