Every year, millions of Americans require treatment for illnesses, injuries or conditions that affect their bones, joints and muscles. From neurological conditions (such as stroke) to orthopedic conditions (such as arthritis) to painful injuries, these conditions can rob patients of their comfort, function and confidence.
Fortunately, Crozer-Keystone Health System offers a variety of outpatient rehabilitation services that can help these patients safely return to their normal daily activities as quickly as possible — without the need for lengthy hospital stays.
At Crozer-Keystone, outpatient rehabilitation services are offered at four hospitals — Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Springfield Hospital and Taylor Hospital. All four sites offer outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy (including hand therapy), speech and dysphagia (swallowing) therapy, as well as audiology (hearing) services.
“We provide services to patients with a wide variety of conditions,” says Paul Van Thuyne, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services for Crozer-Chester Medical Center. “We see people whose need for services may stem from any number of conditions, such as injuries, neurological diseases, surgery, amputations and more. Our staff has the expertise and experience to care for these patients and, in most cases, improve their conditions and quality of life.”
Several aspects of the outpatient rehabilitation program fall under the umbrella of the Crozer-Keystone Human Motion Institute, an orthopedics program that has been developed to enhance the coordination and delivery of treatment related to bones, muscles and joints.
Crozer Keystone’s Human Motion Institute is currently focusing on four separate aspects of rehabilitation, namely outpatient rehabilitation, joint replacement, sports medicine and care of the patient with spinal problems or injuries. As a result, Crozer-Keystone’s orthopedic services are becoming more visible and streamlined, enhancing patient satisfaction and quality of care.
At each CKHS site, rehabilitation varies depending on the nature and severity of each patient’s condition. Crozer-Keystone’s rehab specialists are skilled at helping patients overcome the effects of an injury or musculoskeletal problem and preventing problems from returning.
“Each patient who begins an outpatient rehab program is evaluated to assess the extent of the person’s injury or condition and to set goals for rehabilitation,” says Kristen Creighton, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services at Taylor Hospital. “We have a team of specialists with advanced training who work with our patients to reach their goals. When the rehabilitation process is finished, patients are again assessed on pain, motion and function, and their overall progress is noted.”
While all four sites offer similar outpatient rehabilitation programs, some aspects of their services can vary.
Crozer-Chester Medical Center
Crozer offers outpatient rehabilitation at the hospital site, located at One Medical Center Boulevard in Upland. Programs include:
· Physical therapy
· Occupational therapy
· Speech therapy and audiology
· Dysphagia (swallowing)
· Hand therapy, provided by a certified hand therapist
Delaware County Memorial Hospital
DCMH offers outpatient rehabilitation at its hospital site, located at 501 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill, and at the Center for Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, located in the Barclay Square Shopping Center at 1500 Garrett Road, Upper Darby. Programs include:
· Physical therapy
· Occupational therapy
· Speech and audiology (including pediatrics)
· Dysphagia therapy
· Aquatic therapy (through a collaboration with the Drexel Hill YMCA)
· Hand center, staffed by a certified hand therapist
Springfield Hospital
Springfield Hospital offers outpatient rehabilitation at its hospital site, located at 190 West Sproul Road, Springfield, in Pavilion I of the Healthplex®. Programs include:
· Physical therapy (including pediatrics)
· Occupational therapy (including pediatrics)
· Work rehabilitation
· Aquatic therapy
· Speech therapy (including pediatrics)
· Dysphagia therapy
· Hand center, staffed by a certified hand therapist
Taylor Hospital
Taylor Hospital offers outpatient rehabilitation at its hospital site, located at 175 E. Chester Pike, Ridley Park, and at Taylor Made Physical Therapy, located at Route 420 and Second Avenue, Folsom. Programs include:
· Physical therapy
· Occupational therapy
· Speech and dysphagia therapy
· Audiology (at Taylor Hospital)
· Aquatic therapy (at Taylor Made Physical Therapy)
· Hand center, staffed by a certified hand therapist (at Taylor Made Physical Therapy)
All of the rehabilitation units are staffed by a highly trained, compassionate staff of physical therapists, occupational therapists, certified hand therapists, speech therapists, audiologists, nurses, case managers and therapist assistants. Orthopedic rehabilitation is coordinated and overseen by physicians, including surgeons, primary care physicians and physiatrists.
“We have an excellent staff, with many of our clinicians recording a number of years of experience,” says Carol Heisner, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. “Our staff has an extremely low turnover rate, and that satisfaction translates into a high rate of patient satisfaction. Our patients overwhelmingly report that they are very pleased with the care they receive.”
Carla DeWald, administrative director of Rehabilitation Services at Springfield Hospital, agrees.
“The outpatient rehabilitation staff is very dedicated and experienced,” she says. “We have a diverse skill set, and our areas of specialty are wide-ranging along a broad scope of diagnoses. Everyone is focused and strives to give great care to our patients.”
To learn more about outpatient rehabilitation at Crozer-Keystone, call 1-800-CK-HEALTH (1-800-254-3258).