24-hour rehabilitation hospital opens in Libertyville
A 24-hour, 60-bed rehabilitation facility, the first of its kind in Lake County, is up and running in Libertyville.
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute of Libertyville, located between Route 45 and American Way north of Winchester Road, began accepting patients Monday.
Built on a nearly 9-acre site, the $46 million hospital serves patients recovering from debilitating illness and injuries including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions.
The concept was introduced more than two years ago, and construction began in October 2020. It is Encompass Health's 147th inpatient rehabilitation hospital and third in Illinois.
In addition to 24-hour nursing care, physical, occupational and speech therapies also are offered. The hospital has private patient rooms, a large therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies, as well as a therapy courtyard, cafeteria and day room, according to Encompass.
"We are excited to open this new hospital in Libertyville to help restore function, strength, hope and confidence to individuals recovering from major illnesses and injuries with the ultimate goal of helping them return to the community at their highest levels of independence," said Jennifer Weiss, CEO of Encompass in Libertyville, in a news release.
"This state-of-the-art hospital combined with our team of experts and advanced technologies will allow northern Illinois residents to receive superior, specialized care close to home."
A software program called Bioness Integrated Therapy System to help those with traumatic injuries and movement disabilities is among the advanced technologies available at the hospital. The therapy also is used to improve performance in competitive athletes, according to Encompass.
The building is 60,508 square feet and set up for future expansion. The hospital opened with 109 employees.
The site on the northeast corner had been zoned for commercial use but remained undeveloped for 30 years.
Alabama-based Encompass Health proposed the Libertyville location in fall 2019 citing a need for inpatient rehab facilities in the area. Dozens of doctors and state and local politicians wrote letters of support for consideration by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, which approved the application in early 2020.
According to the company, there are no inpatient rehabilitation providers in Lake County, and patients were having to drive 45 minutes or more to receive care.
The company also operates Van Matre Encompass Health Rehabilitation Institute in Rockford and The Rehabilitation Institute of Southern Illinois in Shiloh, which opened last month. Quad Cities Rehabilitation Institute in Moline is scheduled to open in August as the fourth Encompass rehab hospital in Illinois.
Encompass operates 147 hospitals, 251 home health centers and 96 hospice sites in 42 states and Puerto Rico.