California lawmaker Jose Medina honors UCI Health for excellent patient care
February 15, 2019
California Assemblymember Jose Medina returned to UCI Medical Center today where he congratulated physicians, nurses and staff members for the exceptional care he received as a patient last fall.
“I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, administrators and staff of UCI Medical Center for the exceptional care I received. Due to their continuous support I was able to achieve a quick and complete recovery,” Medina said while presenting the staff with a state resolution.
Medina, 61st District-Riverside, was experiencing stroke symptoms when he was brought to the emergency department at UCI Medical Center. He felt ill, was experiencing weakness in his arms, and legs and eventually become paralyzed. Doctors diagnosed him with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a temporary condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves.
Once diagnosed, the assemblyman was placed into the Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) at UCI Medical Center. A team of physical therapists worked with him daily for two weeks. Medina’s response to therapy was excellent, and he progressed from requiring total care to being able to walk independently and return home.
“I want to recognize the outstanding work that UC Irvine Medical Center does on a daily basis to care for patients in their time of need,” said Medina.
The Acute Rehabilitation Unit (ARU) has a core team of 50 staff nurses, physicians and therapists whose goal is to assist patients dealing with disability.
Patients at the ARU learn how to walk again, how to talk and eat, and care for themselves. While at the same time, ARU therapists work with their family members on providing a supportive and safe living environment when they transition home.
The UCI Health Acute Rehabilitation Unit is a complete inpatient rehabilitation program designed to help patients regain their abilities, and return home instead of to a skilled nursing center.
The ARU treats about 250 patients each year. Every patient receives three hours of daily therapy.
UCI Health comprises the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, California. The 417-bed acute care hospital provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, and behavioral health and rehabilitation services. UCI Medical Center features Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
