New physical therapy entrance. (Lake Region Healthcare)
Fergus Falls, MN – The adult physical therapy department at Lake Region Healthcare (LRH) will have a new entrance and expanded location as of September 12th, thanks to some reconfiguring and remodeling done in response to patient feedback.
“We consistently heard our patients telling us the distance from parking to therapy was extensive when dealing with an injury, mobility issue, or pain. Other common feedback is about cramped space in the waiting area which has not grown along with the growth in our services,” said Angie Conklin, Director of Rehab Therapies at LRH. “When we say we are patient-centered, we mean it, and this is one example of taking action by listening to our patients and improving their experience.”
The space opening on September 12th allows for direct patient access from the south side of the hospital building. Patients will be able to drive into the parking lot just off Alcott Avenue to access 19 designated parking spaces and use the door labeled “W” to enter the building. Directly inside the door they’ll find a new physical therapy waiting area twice as big as the previous location.
The Physical Therapy team has doubled in size over the past 10 years and includes 30 Physical Therapists and 3 Physical Therapy Assistants, yet the space to serve patients hasn’t grown in correlation. “Between this location, our service at the YMCA in Fergus Falls and our Elbow Lake location, we see up to 200 patients in physical therapy a day,” Conklin said. The Rehabilitation Therapies department also offers Pediatric Therapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy in both Fergus Falls and Elbow Lake. “We’re honored to help so many people with rehabilitation needs get back to doing the things they want to do. To be able to improve their experience with a larger waiting room and closer physical access in Fergus Falls is really exciting,” she added.
Patients coming for their first physical therapy appointment will be directed to enter at the hospital’s main entrance to register at the switchboard. All subsequent appointments can use the convenient south side entrance.
(Story courtesy of Lake Region Healthcare)