Why choose Ochsner Specialty Hospital?

As part of the Ochsner Rush community in Meridian, Mississippi, Ochsner Specialty Hospital provides dedicated long-term acute care for patients with complex medical conditions. Since 1994, our 49-bed hospital has delivered superior healthcare with a clear mission: restoring quality to life. We focus on maximizing each patient's independence by involving them and their families directly in the treatment program. Our team is committed to achieving the highest potential outcomes through expert, compassionate care.

We are dedicated to maintaining high standards of care and ensuring the availability of necessary resources. Our commitment extends beyond our hospital walls to the communities we serve across Mississippi and neighboring states.

Our services

Ochsner Specialty Hospital provides specialized care designed to meet the needs of patients with medically complex illnesses. Our services include:

  • Hospitalist program: We provide in-house physician coverage 24 hours a day. These internal medicine specialists are located directly in the hospital to manage patient care from admission through their entire stay, ensuring continuity and positive clinical outcomes.
  • Prolonged ventilator use or weaning: Our team offers expert respiratory care for patients who require extended ventilator support or are in the process of weaning off mechanical ventilation.
  • Ongoing dialysis for chronic renal failure: We facilitate and manage ongoing dialysis treatments for patients with chronic kidney conditions and integrate them into their comprehensive care plan.
  • Intensive respiratory care: Our pulmonologists deliver specialized care for patients with severe respiratory issues, providing advanced treatment and continuous monitoring.
  • Complex wound and hyperbarics: Our healthcare professionals are skilled in treating complex wounds and burns, using advanced techniques to promote healing and prevent complications.
  • Multiple IV medications or transfusions: We manage complex medication schedules for patients who require multiple intravenous medications or blood transfusions as part of their treatment.
  • Emergency coverage: Through our partnership with Ochsner Rush Medical Center, we ensure 24-hour emergency coverage is available for our patients.
  • Physical therapy evaluation: Upon a physician’s order, every patient is screened for physical therapy. The physician and therapist then collaborate to determine the appropriate level of therapy required to support recovery and improve function.

FAQs

The main difference is specialization. An LTCH, like Ochsner Specialty Hospital, is designed specifically for patients who need extended acute-level care for complex medical conditions. Traditional hospitals offer a broad range of general services, such as emergency rooms and surgical centers. By focusing on long-term acute care, we can deliver highly specialized and intensive treatment for specific conditions.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) defines a long-term care hospital as one having an average patient length of stay greater than 25 days. The specific duration depends on each patient's unique medical needs and recovery progress.

We care for patients with medically complex illnesses who require extended hospitalization. This includes individuals who need prolonged ventilator support, ongoing dialysis, intensive respiratory care, multiple IV medications or complex wound care.

Yes. While physical therapy is not typically the primary reason for admission, all patients at Ochsner Specialty Hospital can be screened and evaluated for physical therapy based on a physician’s order. Our team will determine the extent of therapy needed to support each patient's recovery goals.

To learn more about our services, request a referral, or schedule a tour of our facility, please call us at 601-703-4432.