Allegheny Valley Hospital in Harrison has turned a new page in its mission to provide state-of-the-art rehabilitation services to patients with a recent 6.2 million dollar expansion to its inpatient rehab facilities. In what is being touted as a regional first, the hospital's upgraded center specializes in aiding those recovering from strokes and various surgeries.
The center features innovative equipment that addresses both the physical and cognitive aspects of healing, as TribLive reported. The facility includes therapy boards to test cognition, mobility, as well as special treadmills with harnesses to support balance. Moreover, the center incorporates virtual reality technology, complementing traditional rehabilitation techniques.
WTAE highlighted the rehab unit's cutting-edge features, underscoring the hospital’s capability to rebuild strength, mobility, cognitive functions, and independence. Dr. Mark Rubino, president of Allegheny Valley Hospital, expressed great enthusiasm for the upgraded facilities, saying, "We're opening it with state-of-the-art equipment. We're very excited in that fact that there's less rehab beds in our area right now, but that is a very vital service." He emphasized the critical nature of such services for patients with severe injuries or illnesses.
The renovation expands the inpatient rehab space by 70%, increasing the number of beds from 17 to 29. This growth is set against the backdrop of a national trend of rehab bed shortages, according to research by UCLA Health published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, as reported by TribLive. This increase in capacity is not just about numbers; patients from other AHN facilities like Monroeville's Forbes Hospital will now be directed to the Harrison Center, thus consolidating Allegheny Valley Hospital's role as the central hub for AHN's rehab services.
Reflecting a regional commitment to healthcare, AHN was supported by a $300,000 contribution from the Alle-Kiski Medical Center Trust towards the construction of the facility, a donation that trust chair and former Harrison commissioner Robin Bergstrom called a "unanimous yes" for the board, according to TribLive.
