Feel like you need a fresh start after this challenging year? Take a cue from the skilled nursing facility (SNF) at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. After decades of providing short-term rehab and post-hospital care on Presby’s campus, the Penn Presbyterian Center for Continuing Care (PPCCC) received a long-awaited change of scenery after relocating to Penn Medicine Rittenhouse’s post-acute facility, which is managed by Good Shepherd Penn Partners. Plans had been underway to transition the unit since the beginning of the year; after the initial spring date was delayed by COVID-19, the PPCCC officially made its move at the end of September.
The PPCCC bridges the gap between hospital and home care by providing some extra help to patients recovering from orthopaedic surgeries, traumatic injuries, or other diagnoses that have impacted their level of functioning. The unit’s phenomenal staff work tirelessly to ensure that patients can return home and live their lives as independently as possible. The relocation of the unit — which is still staffed by Presby employees — consolidates the PPCCC with Rittenhouse’s long term acute care hospital and inpatient rehab.
“There will be no change in our services or in the population that we serve, but the idea is that the unit is more appropriately housed alongside Rittenhouse’s other post-acute, rehabilitation services. We’re in a larger facility with all private rooms, and I believe we’ll be able to provide a really comfortable environment for our residents,” said Doug Venzie, NHA, director of Post-Acute Services. Back at PPMC, the now open space will be filled with more medical-surgical beds in order to keep up with increasing volume and support seamless patient progression.
Even though nothing has changed but the unit’s address, Angela Medley, MSN, director of Nursing for the PPCCC, is still quite excited. “I’ve been at PPMC for 27 years now, and though it’s of course sad to leave the campus, it’s also nice to see a different place!” she said. “Moving took a lot of planning and effort, but our focus has always been on providing good, safe care. I think this is a wonderful opportunity for us.”