Rehabilitation Services

Serving patients in the Brown County area, Horton Community Hospital has an active Rehabilitation Services department that includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy.

Physical Therapy

The physical therapy staff works with hospital patients, post-acute care patients in the swing-bed program, nursing-home residents and outpatients. Patients are referred by local doctors and providers in surrounding areas.

Patients treated include those who have had:

• Strokes
• Joint replacements
• Strains
• Sprains
• Myofascial and trigger-point involvement
• Shoulder repairs
• Knee surgeries
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis

Emphasis is placed on posture instruction, job-related body mechanics, trigger-point work and home programs for self-management and prevention.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists use treatment techniques to help people of all ages become as functionally independent and productive as possible. Occupational therapy can support a fuller, more productive and independent lifestyle.

Who May Need Occupational Therapy?

• People who have had a stroke or heart attack
• People with arthritis, multiple sclerosis or other serious illnesses
• People with work-related injuries
• Children with birth injuries, learning problems or developmental disabilities
• People with mental health problems
• People with substance-use problems or eating disorders
• People with burns, spinal-cord injuries or amputations
• People with broken bones or other injuries caused by sports, falls or accidents

Occupational therapists work with hospital, skilled swing-bed, geriatric-psychiatric, nursing-home, home-health and outpatient patients, as well as the community.

Speech Therapy

Speech-language therapy applies principles and methods for measurement, testing, screening, evaluation, identification, prediction and counseling related to the development of—and disorders affecting—speech, voice, language or swallowing.

The Role of the Speech Therapist

Speech therapy may be appropriate when it is difficult to:

• Swallow or manage food during a meal
• Speak clearly or express needs
• Understand directions or commands
• Recall names, places or events
• Complete sequencing or problem-solving tasks
• Maintain breath support or voice volume

Speech therapy can also help patients:

• Create communication boards or other tools
• Compensate for hearing loss
• Increase communication through writing or reading
• Increase alertness and orientation
• Improve short- and long-term memory
• Receive safe diet and swallowing recommendations

Speech Therapy Treatment Interventions

• Treatment for aphasia or language disorders
• Treatment for apraxia of speech
• Treatment for dysarthria or articulation disorders
• Treatment for dysphagia
• Treatment for cognitive-linguistic disorders
• Treatment for voice disorders
• Treatment for hearing impairments

Respiratory Therapy

The Respiratory Therapy Department aims to provide life-supporting and life-enhancing services that improve clients’ quality and length of life. The department works with physicians, clients and families and provides respiratory modalities for all age groups.

Services and Procedures

• Therapeutic modalities: nebulizer treatments, intermittent positive-pressure breathing, metered-dose inhalers, aerosol treatments, postural drainage and percussion, suctioning, high-humidity therapy, oxygen therapy, breathing retraining and croup tents
• Diagnostic testing: pulmonary function testing, arterial blood gases, pulse oximetry, electrocardiograms and cardiac stress testing
• Patient education: asthma, hypoxia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung disorders
• A full range of pediatric services
• Acute and long-term tracheostomy care, including education for adult and pediatric care in the home

A pulmonologist is on site monthly in the Specialty Clinic.