Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Services
This program is known across the state for the quality of its
care for patients suffering disabling injuries or illnesses. In fact, BGH is one
of only a handful of hospitals offering in-patient physical rehabilitation in
New York State. Patients come to the program from throughout upstate New York
and Pennsylvania for the services offered by this highly specialized, 25-bed,
in-patient unit.
A team of physicians, nurses, physical therapists, speech and language
therapists, clinical social workers and physiatrists work together to restore
patients to a life that can be lived as actively and independently as possible.
In addition, the program offers a wide array of physical rehabilitation services
for out-patients, including a popular sports medicine program for injured
athletes, a work hardening program for injured workers, and hearing aid
dispensing.
One of the newest specializations is an interdisciplinary program in hand
therapy, the first of its kind in the region. With special training, physical
and occupational therapists improve the ability of patients to hold objects or
perform jobs after hand surgery. The therapy allows patients to overcome
swelling and stiffness and to return to normal activities sooner. The hand
therapy program helps patients with problems caused by birth defects, aging,
burns, trauma or fractures, or by such conditions and diseases as carpal tunnel
syndrome, arthritis or neurological disorders.
The Orthopedics Department treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions. One
floor at BGH serves orthopedic patients almost entirely, so the nurses are
highly skilled at taking care of orthopedic problems. Physical therapists at BGH
have assisted thousands of joint replacement patients; without their skills,
most patients would not gain the full benefit of their surgery. (BGH remains one
of the busiest hospitals in the state for joint replacements.)
Another key element in Binghamton General's rehabilitation services is the
Brain
Injury Center. The six-bed unit provides treatment and rehabilitation for
patients with brain disorders caused by disease or by injuries from, for
example, auto accidents, falls, violence or sports mishaps.
The unit includes two semi-private rooms, one private room and a coma recovery
room. It also includes a "studio apartment," where recovering patients can be
assessed and rehabilitated while they perform ordinary household tasks. The
19-member professional staff provides:
physiatry
physical, occupational, recreational and cognitive therapy
neuropsychology
speech and language pathology
rehabilitation nursing
Binghamton General Hospital
(607)762-2100
Wilson Regional Medical Center
(607)763.6033
