Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold quality achievement award for its commitment to providing stroke patients with the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

“At the Eastern Kentucky Neuroscience Center at Pikeville Medical Center, we are committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” said Dr. Naveed Ahmed, MD, FAAN. “The ‘Get With The Guidelines’ program enables our team to integrate proven knowledge into daily care, which research shows leads to better recovery for patients. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that more people in our region experience longer, healthier lives.”

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines – Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

“At Pikeville Medical Center, we are constantly striving to enhance the quality of care we provide, and following the most current treatment guidelines is a key part of that mission,” said Melissa Thacker, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer. “This program empowers our healthcare teams, including our dedicated stroke team, to deliver care that is based on the latest research and founded on best practices, which has been shown to improve patient outcomes. By utilizing evidence-based protocols that are in place, we can help more individuals in our region recover faster from stroke and other conditions, ultimately enabling them to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.”

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Pikeville Medical Center for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

Pikeville Medical Center also received the American Heart Association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.

PMC also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

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Physical therapy (PT) is an extremely beneficial care option for many individuals and is very important in the recovery process. To help spreadawareness about this important field and the many benefits it offers, October is National Physical Therapy Month.

PT is a crucial component for patients who have suffered injuries or are recovering from surgery, but can also be beneficial for those who battling illnesses or other health conditions. Therapists work one-on-one with patients, utilizing a wide range of techniques and equipment to reduce pain for the patient, and strengthen and increase the range of motion of muscles in a part of the body that has been weakened or injured.

PT is beneficial for people of all ages with a wide range of medical or physical conditions. Physical therapy can also help lower medical costs by reducing or eliminating the need for certain medications.

PT has many benefits for patients and can help with a wide range of conditions, many of which are common problems, such as neck and back pain.

Some of the most common conditions that can be helped by outpatient physical therapy include:

• Sports injuries
• Repetitive use injuries
• Overuse injuries
• Lymphedema
• Muscular dystrophy
• Neck and back pain
• Osteoporosis
• Headaches
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Parkinson’s disease
• Joint replacement

Physical therapy can also be beneficial for patients experiencing pain from overuse or repetitive strain issues which can occur over time.

To learn more about physical therapy and other outpatient therapy services available at Pikeville Medical Center, please visit https://www.pmcky.org/outpatient-rehabilitation-services/ .

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PMC’s Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Center was born out of a commitment to address the geographical barriers and economic strains faced by families seeking critical therapy services for their children. In response to these challenges, PMC embarked on an ambitious expansion project in 2021 within PMC’s Physical Rehabilitation. The results can be seen in enhanced outpatient therapy services for children throughout Eastern Kentucky.

Establishing the multi-sensory stimulation area significantly advances therapeutic care for pediatric patients. This innovative space will be designed to provide a holistic approach to therapy tailored to the unique needs of each child. By creating a calming environment during therapy sessions, the multi-sensory stimulation area promotes patient satisfaction, smoother transitions, and the development of self-regulation techniques, ultimately expanding children’s attention spans. Moreover, the area catalyzes social interaction, communication, motor control, coordination and physical exercise, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of pediatric patients.

“This grant from Kosair for Kids represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive and accessible care to children in Eastern Kentucky,” stated Donovan Blackburn, PMC Chairman, President and CEO. “The multi-sensory stimulation area underscores PMC’s commitment to nurturing the growth and development of pediatric therapy services within our community.”

AS PMC continues to prioritize this initiative and enhance pediatric services in Eastern Kentucky, the establishment of the multi-sensory stimulation area within the Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Center at PMC marks a crucial step toward comprehensive, holistic and accessible care for pediatric patients in the region. PMC remains steadfast in its dedication to advancing pediatric therapy services and improving the lives of children throughout the region. With this bold initiative, PMC continues to set a new standard of excellence in pediatric therapy, inspiring hope and transforming lives.

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Alisha was diagnosed with dyslexia at the age of seven and recently completed speech and occupational therapy programs at PMC. Speech Therapist Hannah Osborne said Alisha’s case is an excellent example of different types of therapists and her family working as a team to make sure she is successful. “Alisha is a kind and caring child with a strong work ethic which pushes her to do her best. She never complained and worked consistently.” Explained Osborne. “She worked to perfect her fine motor skills in occupational therapy by putting in the work both inside and outside of therapy. She is definitely a shining example of one of the many success stories we have been blessed to witness here at the Pikeville Medical Center Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Center.”

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Many times, after being treated by a physician, patients are encouraged to participate in Occupational Therapy (OT). Occupational Therapists at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) are specifically trained to help patients participate in the things they want or need to do on a regular basis.

Often, patients need to be referred to OT to help them regain or maintain their independence, which is important for both their physical and mental health.

OT is a treatment that works to improve motor skills and motor planning. PMC’s Occupational Therapy team works closely with each adult and pediatric patient to develop a treatment plan to increase the chance of success in the rehabilitation process.

“PMC’s Occupational Therapists are skilled healthcare professionals who use research and scientific evidence to help our patients,” said PMC Director of Rehab Services, Linda Derossett. “The goal is to help people resume or maintain participation in a variety of tasks – their jobs, leisure and social activities, caring for themselves and their home or even just getting around.”

For more information on Occupational Therapy options at Pikeville Medical Center, call 606-430-9301 or visit https://www.pmcky.org/services/physical-rehabilitation-hospital/.

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Recently, PMC completed a tremendous expansion project to better serve patients requiring outpatient therapy.  The newly renovated building located in the Riverfill across from PMC’s main campus, enables PMC to increase the volume of services offered to both pediatric and adult patients. The extensive renovation included an increase of 3,620 sq. ft. to benefit pediatric patients and 775 sq. ft. of increased space for adult patients.

A team of trained rehabilitation specialists helps patients achieve an increased level of independence based on their physical and mental abilities. PMC offers physical, occupational and speech therapy to help patients perform a variety of tasks from walking, to performing daily tasks, to basic communication and more. Therapy sessions can be scheduled to fit around a patient’s schedule and are designed around a treatment plan tailored specifically for each patient.

“Our goal at PMC is to help patients who have an illness or injury restore lost skills and increase their self-sufficiency,” said PMC Director of Rehab Services, Linda Derossett. “We also assist in helping to minimize or slow down the disabling effects of chronic health conditions with self-management strategies and the assistive products they require.”

The new addition is easily accessible and offers convenient parking, advanced technology, new equipment and therapy services to help patients improve their quality of life. PT, OT and Speech therapists provide services to patients Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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Many traumatic injuries and illnesses can affect a patient’s ability to walk. The Lokomat is the world’s leading robotic device that provides a highly repetitive gait-training for severely impaired patients, helping them learn to walk again. Therapists can adjust the machine to the patient’s abilities in every stage of recovery, based on how the patient responds to treatment. The Lokomat works by using a computerized treadmill training system that uses a body weight support system to assist patients.

The Lokomat is used for several different diagnoses including stroke, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and other disabilities. “It is an excellent tool to assist patients with getting a better gait pattern when walking on various surfaces,” explained PMC Physical Medicine Specialist Sankar Chirumamilla, MD. “The Lokomat can also help with improved balance, endurance, and overall mobility.” PMC has also invested in the accessories needed for the Lokomat to treat children with difficulty walking.

The ArmeoSpring is another therapy device suited for a wide range of patients who have moderate to severe weakness, or limited movement in the arm and hand, commonly caused by traumatic injury or stroke. The Armeo device works by allowing patients to perform highly repetitive functional therapy by supporting the arm weight and guiding the movement while providing computerized patient feedback. “Our patients who use the Armeo enjoy the activities that they do on the computer,” said PMC Therapy Supervisor Sabrina Martin. “It gives them an activity to perform to reach their goals that is interactive and fun.” The motivating game-like exercises can be easily adapted to the patient’s individual motor and cognitive capabilities. This provides optimal challenges at every stage of recovery.

To learn more about PMC’s Physical Rehabilitation Hospital, please visit our Physical Rehabilitation Hospital Page or call 606-430-3500.

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