Physical Therapy
The Physical Therapy Department at Washington County Hospital is one of the most progressive PT departments in the area. The experienced staff has a strong commitment to continuing education and provides the most current and up to date treatment options for both inpatients and outpatients. PT provides services in general strengthening and endurance, balance and gait training, mobility training, pain management, incontinence, fall prevention, back and neck care, stroke rehab, wound and burn care, development of home exercise and activity programs, sports physical therapy, and rehab services for a variety of other injuries, impairments and conditions.
The highly trained staff of Physical Therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants stays in close consultation with the patient’s physician to provide a structured and personal program of treatment, and works closely with other therapies and departments to meet all of a patient’s rehab needs. Treatments may include modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, manual therapies to improve motion, stretching exercises to improve flexibility, strengthening exercises, balance activities, work specific training, whirlpool, home exercise programs and patient and family education.
Physical therapy requires a referral from a physician. PT is covered by Medicare and Medicaid and most health insurance plans. Benefits vary according to each plan. For more information, please call (618) 327-2317.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy is a type of skilled treatment to help individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. This type of rehab helps people who are limited by physical or emotional illness, impairment, or injury, regain and build skills necessary to lead independent, productive and satisfying lives. Occupational Therapy can help those with head injuries, arthritis, neurological impairments such as stroke or Alzheimer’s, cancer, burns, orthopedic conditions, cardiovascular disease and wounds. Early intervention leads to the most effective restoration of function.
The Occupational Therapist works closely with each patient, the physician and other members of the healthcare team and the patient’s family to customize treatment programs that may include performance skills and assessments, modalities such as heat, ice, paraffin or whirlpool, manual therapies to improve motion, stretching and strengthening exercises, energy conservation and work simplification, activities of daily living, activities that simulate work tasks, home exercise programs, upper extremity coordination, cognitive and sensory re-education and guidance to family members.
Services are provided for both inpatients and outpatients to help individuals achieve a higher level of independence. When skill and strength cannot be regained, occupational therapy offers creative solutions and alternatives for carrying out daily activities. Occupational therapy can also be beneficial to the pediatric population who face challenges with sensory issues, fine motor skills, feeding and developmental delays. Occupational therapy requires referral by a physician. For more information, please call (618) 327-2317.
Speech Therapy
Speech Therapy can make a huge positive difference for patients and their families by helping adults and children with disorders or difficulties related to speaking, understanding, feeding, swallowing, and using language effectively. There is a diverse range of challenges caused by aging, head injuries, birth defects, developmental difficulties, cleft lip and palate, cognitive impairment, swallowing disorders, head and neck cancers, and other conditions that impair the ability to speak, swallow and eat properly.
The Speech Therapist works with the patient’s physician, physical and occupational therapy, other members of the health care team and the patient’s family to provide a customized treatment plan for maximizing speech therapy outcomes. Speech Therapy services can include: articulation and language (speech) rehabilitation, assessment and treatment of swallowing disorders, cognitive rehabilitation, family and caretaker educations, geriatric feeding rehabilitation, pediatric screening for speech development, sensory processing and feeding skills, pediatric development follow-up and rehab, and voice assessment and treatment.
Washington County Hospital provides speech therapy services for adults and children, both inpatients and outpatients. Speech Therapy requires a referral from a physician. Washington County Hospital offers free screening for speech language delays for in children. For more information, please call (618) 327-2232.