Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
The Inpatient Rehabilitation Department of St. Luke's University Health Network is committed to providing cost effective, client-centered and evidence-based therapy to individuals who have sustained physical, cognitive, communication, social and emotional disabilities, as a result of aging, illness or injury. Our therapists and audiologists are highly skilled professionals dedicated to utilizing therapeutic interventions in order to regain and promote the health and well being of the clients we serve. It is our goal as a department to provide quality care to our patients, to serve as role models to our students and to continue to promote the role of Audiologists, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists within St. Luke's University Health Network.
Occupational therapy focuses on re-engagement in activities of daily living, leisure, and work/service to others through restoration, remediation, and adaptation. Occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants utilize activities known as occupations as a therapeutic tool to restore or increase independent functional abilities, prevent further disability, and promote overall health and safety. Occupational therapy also provides recommendations for safe discharge planning after hospitalization. Other areas addressed included:
- Vision/perception
- Cognition and safety
- Fine and gross motor coordination
- Splinting
- Activity adaptation
- Energy conservation
- Life skills
- Lifestyle redesign
Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants provide services to patients who have impairments, functional limitations, disabilities, or changes in physical function and health status resulting from injury, illness and disease. Physical therapists and assistants utilize therapeutic interventions in order to prevent further progression of functional limitations, to improve or restore independent functional mobility, and to promote overall health, wellness and fitness. We evaluate and treat various patient populations including, but not limited to:
- Orthopedic
- Polytrauma
- Pediatrics
- Pulmonary
- Cardiac
- Bariatric
- Neurological/Neurosurgical
- Critical Care
Speech Pathologists - Dysphagia Specialists in the acute care setting provide expert diagnostic, therapeutic and educational services. Specifically, our Speech Pathologists evaluate and diagnose speech, language, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders.
A variety of quantitative and qualitative tests are utilized, including standardized motor speech/cognitive/language tests, as well as clinical and instrumental swallowing evaluations (Video/Modified Barium Swallow and Fiberopic Endoscopic Swallow Studies). These tests diagnose the nature and extent of the impairment, as well as determine efficacy of treatment techniques.
Treatment services are initiated to meet the communication and nutritional needs in the hospital environment (including but not limited to use of speaking valves, augmentative communication boards and devices, modified diets, strategy training). Patient, family and staff education are completed and are critical to assuring proper medical and rehabilitative care.
Staffing Roles/Functions/Availability
- Network Director of Rehabilitation Services
- Clinical Coordinator of Physical Therapy
- Clinical Coordinator of Occupational Therapy
- Clinical Coordinator of Speech Therapy
- Orthopedic Team Leader
- Clinical Education Coordinator for Physical Therapy
- Clinical Education Coordinator for Occupational Therapy
- Clinical Education Coordinator for Speech Therapy
- Clinical Audiologist
- Occupational Therapist
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Rehabilitation Aide
- Speech Pathologist/Dysphagia Specialist