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One reason patients transfer to RML Specialty Hospital is because they’ve suffered an injury or have a condition that requires them to be on a ventilator long-term. RML, a long-term acute care hospital with locations in Hinsdale and Chicago, is equipped to handle patients for a long stay, with the goal of weaning the patient off their ventilator at an appropriate time.
Dr. Robert Balk, Director of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, is one of 12 doctors who share rotational duties at Rush and also at RML Specialty Hospital. “There are many benefits to this complex relationship between the hospitals,” said Dr. Balk. “The busy ICUs at Rush can move their patients on ventilators to RML, which is a very good facility. Doctors can follow their patients’ recovery and ventilator weaning process, providing a continuity of care.”
Patients and their families also benefit from the shared relationship duties. “It’s easier for patients and their families, having at least one doctor at RML who is familiar with their case,” said Dr. Balk. “And if a patient regresses and needs immediate urgent care at an acute care hospital, they can quickly be transferred back to Rush.”
In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Balk and other pulmonologists from Rush work with the patients’ primary care physician, nurses, and therapists at RML Specialty Hospital to assist in the ventilator weaning process. “It gives us a great chance to see how the patients are doing, and allows us to stay involved in their care,” said Dr. Balk. “This lets us participate in best practices and protocols to achieve the best outcome for everyone.”
For more information about RML Specialty Hospital and its relationship with Rush University Medical Center, please contact:
RML Specialty Hospital
Tricia Vaisvila (630) 286-4125
5601 South County Line Rd., Hinsdale, IL
3435 West Van Buren, Chicago, IL
773-826-6300