COVID-19 and Inpatient Rehabilitation Nursing Care: Lessons Learned and Implications for the Future

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is impacting post-acute inpatient rehabilitation nursing practice from preadmission assessment to inpatient care delivery and transition planning. Patients with disability following COVID-19 require interventions to address respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and psychosocial issues. The pandemic has resulted in changes to program structures and how inpatient rehabilitation facilities approach family caregiver engagement amidst visitation restrictions. Technology solutions can be utilized to reduce the patient and their family's feelings of isolation and support caregiver preparation for discharge. Nurse leaders are essential in supporting staff during this crisis through authentic presence and providing resources and training. Rehabilitation nurses are key in helping patients and families manage rehabilitation and the aftermath of COVID-19 to restore optimal functioning. In this clinical consultation, we synthesize insights learned from the COVID-19 responses at three inpatient rehabilitation facilities. We describe the impact of rehabilitation nursing interventions to improve outcomes for patients with COVID-19 and their caregivers.