Methodist Extended Care Hospital (MECH) is committed to providing compassionate, quality care to acutely ill adult patients requiring prolonged hospital stays.  Our 36-bed hospital bases all of its care programs on the highest standards possible and backs them with a dedicated and highly trained staff.  Often referred to as a "hospital within a hospital," Methodist Extended Care Hospital operates as a separate facility located within Methodist University Hospital. 

MECH provides care for patients whoe length of stay is 10-30 days.  These are patients who have stabilized but still require intense, ongoing medical attention.  Patients ineligible for admission to specialty facilities can often be admitted to MECH.  Most care is delivered at the patient's bedside using innovative treatment programs, highly trained staff and an interdisciplinary model.  Each of our services is enhanced by our patient-focused team approach.  Patients with similar conditions are kept close to one another, which makes their care more effective.  This consistency and efficiency allows patients to conserve energy for healing.  Ultimiately, these practices ensure a smooth transition for the patient to the next level of care.  That next level could be home, skilled care, a nursing home, a rehabilitation facility or hoome health care.

Specialized programs include, but are not limited to:

Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
At MECH, aggressive medical management-with a focus on rehabilitation-helps progress the cardiac patient to the next level of care.  Cardiac rehabilitation consists of several individualized interventions.  Cardiac education, physical rehabilitation, pharmacological intervention, respiratory therapy and remote telemetry monitoring are all part of a patient's program. There is also continuous cardiovascular assessment supervised by an Advanced Cardiac Life Support-qualified nursing staff.

Low-Intensity Rehabilitation Program
The low-intensity rehabilitation program's focus is on meeting the nursing care needs while strengthening and increasing the patient's tolerance for intense therapy.  The highlight of the low-intensity rehabilitation program is a nursing staff outfitted with the critical skills to manage medically complex patients.

Ventilator Weaning Program
MECH's ventilator weaning program takes an aggressive, progressive approach customized for the patient. 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.

Wound Care Program
The Wound Care program treats patients with impaired tissue integrity who are at high risk for complications. Treatment includes an evaluation, assessment and plan for treatment performed at the patient's bedside by a Wound Care team.  In addition, patients receive physical rehabilitation, wound management education and guidance from a nutritionist.

For questions or for more information, please contact a MECH representative at 901.516.2595.