Birchwood Health Care Center

Pros

• The care that the mom is receiving at Birchwood transitional care is fantastic, with wonderful nurses and aides.
• The occupational and physical therapists are excellent in their interactions with the mother.
• Staff consistently return calls promptly and provide immediate access to nurses for any questions.
• The environment feels like a big family, with caring people who check in on residents regularly.
• Activities are offered to residents, creating an engaging atmosphere.
• Despite its aesthetic shortcomings, the exceptional level of care provided makes it a place one wouldn't mind staying in themselves.

Cons

• The facility is understaffed, leading to inadequate care and delayed responses when patients need assistance.
• Food served to patients is often cold and unappetizing.
• Staff members do not consistently wash their hands, which raises hygiene concerns.
• Patients may contract infections like c-diff due to poor sanitation practices in the facility.
• Management failed to notify other roommates about potential health risks associated with contagious conditions.
• Overall satisfaction with care can be overshadowed by significant shortcomings in staffing and cleanliness.

Review

The experience of patients in transitional care facilities can significantly vary, as illustrated by the contrasting reviews of Birchwood Transitional Care. One reviewer expressed immense satisfaction with the quality of care their mother received during her rehabilitation stay at Birchwood. The reviewer highlighted the compassion and professionalism exhibited by both the nursing staff and aides, noting that they were always available to answer questions or provide updates about her mother’s condition. This level of attentive communication not only reassured the family but also fostered a sense of trust and partnership between them and the caregivers.

In addition to praising the nursing staff, the reviewer had commendable words for the occupational and physical therapists, who were described as excellent in their interactions with patients. Their professional expertise was crucial in supporting residents through their rehabilitation journey. This focus on high-quality therapeutic support makes a significant difference in patient outcomes, enhancing recovery through tailored physiotherapy programs that address individual needs.

One particularly appreciated aspect of Birchwood was its familial atmosphere. According to this review, staff members took time to check in on residents frequently, creating a warm and welcoming environment reminiscent of a tight-knit family rather than an impersonal hospital setting. The mention of activities coordinated for residents further reinforced this sense of community; it showed that there was an effort made not just for physical rehabilitation but also for emotional well-being. The reviewer even mentioned feeling comfortable enough with the facility to consider it as a potential place for themselves in the future—a testament to how positively they view Birchwood’s culture despite acknowledging some aesthetic shortcomings.

However, another review depicted a starkly different reality at Birchwood Transitional Care Facility. This second perspective raised serious concerns regarding staffing levels, indicating that inadequate personnel contributed to various issues encountered during their loved one’s stay. Reports included cold meals served to patients and neglectful practices such as insufficient handwashing by staff—a critical factor in ensuring infection control within healthcare settings.

The consequences of these deficiencies became painfully clear when this reviewer shared how their mother contracted Clostridium difficile (C-diff), an infection known for causing severe digestive distress. Despite two months post-discharge from Birchwood still being plagued by lingering effects of C-diff, they felt compelled to take matters into their own hands by demanding her release from the facility due to unsatisfactory conditions. Each child took turns staying with their mother—an indication not only of concern but also highlighting a serious lack of adequate care provided by Birchwood during her rehabilitation process.

Additionally troubling was how management responded—or failed to respond—to infection risks within shared living spaces. The reviewer pointed out that staff did not adequately inform other residents or manage exposure risk concerning C-diff after confirming its presence with their mother’s roommate. Such lapses can lead to widespread infections among vulnerable populations like those residing in transitional care facilities where communal living prevails.

Ultimately, these contrasting experiences underscore significant discrepancies within Birchwood Transitional Care's operational effectiveness—from instances of exemplary compassionate care reflected by one family, against deeply concerning health standards reported by another family reflecting inadequate staffing levels and hygiene practices. These narratives collectively highlight crucial areas for improvement in order for such facilities to fulfill their mission: providing safe, effective rehabilitation while fostering genuine connections between caregivers and those they serve—elements essential in promoting better patient outcomes and overall satisfaction within transitional care environments.

Restaurants

• Big Apple Bagels (0.1 miles)
• Wing Street (0.3 miles)
• Vannellis By The Lake (0.4 miles)
• Mallards (0.7 miles)
• White Castle (0.8 miles)
• Culver's (0.9 miles)
• VFW Post 4210 (0.9 miles)

Physicians

• Associated Eye Care (0.2 miles)
• Forest Lake Foot Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Da Vita (0.3 miles)
• Adv Dermatology (0.5 miles)
• St Croix Endodontics Pa (0.5 miles)
• Summit Orthopedics (0.6 miles)
• St Croix Orthopaedics (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Thrifty White Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Rolseth Drug (0.6 miles)
• Good Neighbor Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Wyoming Drug (4.4 miles)
• Fairview Pharmacy Services (7.8 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.9 miles)
• Lino Air Park (9.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Real Church Real People (2.5 miles)
• Hosanna Lutheran Church (3.5 miles)
• St John's Lutheran Church (8.6 miles)
• Trinity Lutheran Church (10 miles)
• Chisago Lake Lutheran Church (11.7 miles)
• Open Range Cowboy Church (12.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Fairview Lakes Medical Center (3.5 miles)
• Fairview Lakes Health Services (9.4 miles)

Parks

• Tolzmann Park (5.2 miles)
• Ironhorse Railroad Park (7.1 miles)
• Chuckie Lundquist Park (8.4 miles)
• Surfland Park (8.8 miles)
• Beach Park (10.1 miles)
• Lyman Park (10.2 miles)
• Lexington Athletic Complex (10.4 miles)

Cafes

• Caribou Coffee (8.8 miles)
• Northwoods Roasterie (10.4 miles)
• Marine Cafe (11.5 miles)