Allegheny Valley Hospital opens expanded inpatient rehabilitation unit

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) last week opened a “significantly expanded inpatient rehabilitation unit” at AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital (AVH) in Natrona Heights, Pa.

The newly renovated and expanded unit is the result of a $6.2 million investment that AHN said establishes AVH as its “center of excellence” for inpatient rehabilitation services. Construction took about seven months. The unit includes 12 new inpatient rehabilitation beds, bringing its total to 29.

“This effort created a newly consolidated, state-of-the-art unit designed to support recovery for patients with complex medical, neurological, and orthopedic needs,” stated AHN. “This expansion has also allowed AVH to strengthen its dedicated team by welcoming 36 new employees, including skilled nurses, therapists, and essential support staff.”

“This expanded unit allows us to care for more patients, offer the most advanced rehabilitation therapies available, and continue delivering exceptional outcomes for individuals recovering from serious injuries, illnesses, and surgeries,” said AVH President Mark A. Rubino, MD. He added, “We are investing not only in advanced medical care, but in environments that promote healing, dignity, and hope.”

A look inside Allegheny Valley's Hospital's new inpatient rehabilitation center. | Richard Dwyer/Allegheny Health Network

AVN said the enhanced rehabilitation unit “builds on AVH’s Gold Seal of Approval from The Joint Commission for Traumatic Brain Injury rehabilitation, positioning the hospital at the forefront of evidence-based, specialized rehab care. The program serves patients recovering from traumatic brain injuries and strokes, as well as spinal cord injuries, neurological conditions, orthopedic surgeries, and general debilities following extended hospital stays.”

The new unit features what AVN called “a comprehensive suite of advanced rehabilitation technologies designed to help patients regain mobility, strength, cognitive function, and independence more quickly and safely.” Those technologies include overground gait and fall-prevention systems, body-weight-supported treadmill training, functional electrical stimulation for upper and lower extremities, immersive virtual reality therapy, cognitive and driving assessment tools, and innovative speech and swallowing therapies, it said.

“These technologies allow our teams to safely get patients moving earlier in their recovery while providing more precise, personalized therapy,” said AVH Chief Operating Officer Jeff Carlson.

The Alle-Kiski Medical Center Trust contributed nearly $300,000 to support the purchase of major rehabilitation equipment.

AVN added that AVH has also invested in a new Healing Garden and Courtyard, located at the hospital’s front entrance, that offers “a peaceful retreat for hospital employees, patients in recovery, and members of the community. The space features landscaped greenery, seating, a flagpole, and commemorative signage honoring the legacy of the Schaub family and its patriarch, David Schaub, MD, a long-time AVH physician.”