List of services: 

*Aquatic Therapy
*Occupational Therapy
*Physical Therapy
*Pulmonary Rehabilitation
*Speech Therapy

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic Therapy has been added to serve the needs of many in the area.  This type of therapy is an effective treatment for many musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary and immunological disorders.  Buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure and viscosity properties of water naturally provide a therapeutic environment for physical rehabilitation.  Aquatic Therapy can address pain, reduced range of motion, reduced strength, reduced functional mobility, limited weight bearing and balance.  At times, this type of therapy can also be started earlier than land based rehabilitation and can accelerate the healing process and recovery time.

The water is kept at 92-94 degrees which makes it very soothing and comfortable to the patients.  The pool has various depths and a water current system that is fully adjustable for a variety of exercises to treat many common conditions such as arthritis, sprains and strains, post surgical diagnoses, status-post fractures, fibromyalgia, sports related injuries and balance disorders. The Aquatic Therapy area is completely handicap accessible with locker rooms and showers in the same area.

For more information or to schedule a time to view the pool, please call WCHC’s Therapy Services Department at 863-3962.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy is a health and rehabilitation profession that helps people regain, develop, and build skills that are important for independent functioning, health, well-being, security, and happiness. Occupational Therapy practitioners work with people of all ages who, because of illness, injury, or developmental or psychological impairment, need specialized assistance in learning skills to enable them to lead independent, productive, and satisfying lives.

Occupational Therapy can prevent injury or the worsening of existing conditions or disabilities and it promotes independent functioning in individuals who may otherwise require institutionalization or other long-term care. Because of this, occupational therapy keeps health care costs down and maximizes the quality of life for the individual, their family, and other caregivers.

Occupational Therapy Practitioners work with people experiencing health problems such as stroke, spinal cord, injuries, cancer, congenital conditions, developmental problems, and mental illness, in a wide range of practice settings including hospitals, nursing facilities, home health agencies, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, psychiatric facilities and schools.

In addition to dealing with an individual's physical well-being, occupational therapy practitioners address psychological, social, and environmental factors that may impede independent functioning in all aspects of life. This unique perspective makes occupational therapy a critically important part of a healthcare program.

Occupational therapy services significantly improve rehabilitation for many people with impairments due to:

• Arthritis, cancer, or other debilitating illnesses
• Head or spinal cord injuries
• Orthopedic, work, or sports-related injuries
• Amputation
• Burns
• Head trauma
• Stroke and other neurological conditions
• Mental illness
• Developmental disabilities

Speech Therapy

A Language Pathologist is trained to evaluate and treat children and adults with speech, language, and swallowing problems.  Speech therapy is offered at Washington County Hospital to provide evaluation, treatment, and patient education on a wide array of disorders.

Our Goal:
Speech-Language Pathologists serve as a member of the health care team, which may include doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, radiologists, educators...all of which are committed to improving the patients overall ability to function as independently as possible in their current environment.  YOU are the most important member of this team, and we are dedicated to listening and responding to all of your needs to assure you the highest level of care.  

How You Can Be Referred to a Speech-Language Pathologist:
You may be referred to speech therapy by a doctor while you are in the hospital or as an outpatient if your doctor feels you would benefit from treatment.  If you think you may be a candidate for the services offered by a speech-language pathologist, please contact your physician or therapy services at Washington County Hospital. 

Physical Therapy

The Physical Therapy department presently provides services by 3 licensed Physical Therapists, Breena Luers, Nicole Naraine and Liz Miksch, and by one licensed assistant, Sharon Hagist. Our office manager is Lisa Crawford, and techs include Cindy Johnson and Denise Ropp. 

Physical Therapy is a unique service that touches people with many illnesses and disabilities. Physical Therapists receive the most extensive education on exercise and the mechanics of the body of all health professions. People who need Physical Therapy might be from one of the following groups of people:

• Pediatrics - children with developmental or acute muscle and joint problems
• Athletes - Weekend warriors or school athletes that need to recover from injuries or mechanical/painful dysfunction of muscles, joints, or ligaments.
• People with work related injuries
• People recovering from surgery
• People who have had injuries related to an accident
• Persons with amputated limbs who need to learn to use their prosthesis
• People who have suffered a neurological event such as a stroke, or who need strengthening or gait training due to a neurological problem
• People who suffer from arthritis of various types
• Persons with posture or movement related disorders that need to gain normal function
• People with vestibular or balance related disorders
• Men and women with incontinence caused by muscular dysfunction
• People with swelling in an arm or leg, caused by cancer surgery or other causes
• People who suffer from poorly healing wounds, or need assistance with wound care
• Women with pregnancy related pain
• Persons with headaches, neck, back, or pain in the arms or legs

With a list of potential patients that is this extensive, the list of services provided is also quite extensive.  It includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Aquatic (water) Therapy (began in December 2007) with classes and individual instruction
• Neurological Rehabilitation
• Back care inservices to employees for injury prevention
• Instruction on posture and body mechanics
• Modalities to relieve pain and inflammation and to re-educate muscles:  Ultrasound, Electrical Stimulation, TENS, Iontophoresis, Traction, Biofeedback, Taping
• Manual Therapy with specialized soft tissue and joint mobilization techniques, tailored to each person's movement dysfunction
• Instruction in exercise, specific to the person's needs, and respectful of existing medical conditions
• Behavioral training in management of incontinence
• Wound Care--including debridement and appropriate dressings to promote healing
• Gait training with and without assistive devices
• Ergonomic analysis for computer and other job settings
• Lymphedema management with massage and compression bandaging
• Manual therapy and treatment of pain in the expectant mother, and after childbirth to assist in regaining muscle strength
• Rehabilitation after surgery
• Community education programs for fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, and topics related to exercise and the treatments given in physical therapy
• Vestibular rehabilitation for treatment of dizziness and balance problems

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a service for those inflicted with severe Pulmonary Disease.  Physical Therapists and Respiratory Therapists work together to follow a strict program after the patient's pulmonologist determines they would be a good candidate.  This is considered "Phase 2" of this type of rehabilitation. 

Other hospital staff involved are the Dietitian and Social Worker serving as consultants.  The program includes strength training of the legs and arms, aerobic and endurance training, and breathing re-education.  By adjusting the intensity of exercise and providing supplemental oxygen, patients with severe pulmonary disease can gradually learn to manage their disease process better, and more active and mobile.

Pulmonary Rehab also includes education for longer term rehabiliation and maintenance strategies, smoking cessation and pulmonary hygiene.  With an intensive program such as this, patients are sen three times per week for about 8 weeks, for an hour each visit.  At the end of the program, patients will be offered the option of a maintenance program of exercise in our gym.  This maintenance program is a "Phase 3" type of program where they are monitored as needed.  The positive outcomes of such a program as this include improvement in shortness of breath, exercise tolerance, quality of life and activities of daily living, and decrease in hospitalization. 

For this program, patients must be referred by their physician, including a necessary consult with a pulmonologist. 

As one can see from these extensive lists, Physical Therapy is an amazing and necessary service in and out of the hospital. We are very proud of our facility and the services we offer.  Please talk to your doctor if you suspect that you need Physical Therapy.  You may also call our department to ask questions about potential treatment needs.

Physical Therapy’s direct phone number is 319-863-3962.  We are located just inside the South Entrance of Washington County Hospital and Clinics.

Click here to open the brochures on the following services:  Prevention Lymphedema brochure.pdf; PT services for women brochure.pdf; Osteoporosis brochure.pdf; Urinary Incontinence brochure.pdf