Gateway Outpatient Therapy Clinic celebrates three months of service to hundreds of patients
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – At the end of July, Gateway Transitional Care celebrated the grand opening of their Outpatient Therapy Clinic, expanding their reach into the community to outpatient appointments. After three months of service, lead physical therapist Andy Goode said he's seen significant improvement in patients and even added more equipment to the space.
The outpatient clinic is on the lower floor of the building, slightly separate from the vent/trach unit and long-term stay areas upstairs. The clinic is 10,000 square feet, including occupational, physical and speech therapy services.
"We've been trying to meet the needs of the community to expand our role within the community and help people transition either out of a nursing home or hospital," Goode said. "We've been able to provide so much more in the outpatient setting and really focus on that unique care for the individual."
Goode said the clinic has seen everything including post-operation patients for knee and shoulder surgeries to more cognitive treatment for patients who struggle with memory. Occupational therapy includes helping patients with their most basic life skills– re-learning to walk, dress and feed themselves.
"With the speech therapy, we've had patients come in and do a bit of swallowing studies," Goode explained. "We've also had an increase in more of sports-type patients."
The clinic is nestled onto the Idaho State University campus, which provides the therapists with a unique opportunity to help younger athletes and post-sports-injury patients. Goode also added that approaching ski season means an uptick in patients wanting to return to the mountain after injuries or operations.
"We now have this unique track system where people can walk independently in the harness. If they lose their balance, it catches them and allows them to reconnect with themselves and learn as they go in a safe environment," Goode said.
Many patients at Gateway have lost their independence when it comes to basic bodily functions, so the new track system at the outpatient therapy clinic gives them their autonomy, freedom and confidence back when learning to walk.
The clinic has added equipment in different modalities to improve strength, range of motion and treatment for pain. Goode says the goal is always to help people feel good enough to do what they want to do.
"As you grow and get better, we can help move things. If you're struggling, we can make adaptations to meet your needs," Goode said. "It's been awesome to see a few patients that have, in just a few months of being here, they're back out doing their things pain-free and doing what they want."
