The Dell Rapids Area Hospital has purchased a new piece of helpful medical equipment thanks to a gift from the Dell Rapids Community Hospital Foundation.
The Biodex Balance System SD is the hospital’s newest edition of high-tech medical equipment. It’s used by physical therapy and is a balance testing and training tool that helps patients that suffer from balance related issues. Physical therapists are able to assess fall risk and then recommend exercises to help improve balance, agility and muscle tone. Other applications include screening athletes for single-leg injuries, concussion management, and wellness or fitness activities.
![Donation funds new hospital equipment Donation funds new Balance System SD](../../sites/default/files/news_donation_funds_new_hospital_equipment_apr2015.jpg)
Ron Tibke, a physical therapist at the Dell Rapids Area Hospital, said the new machine is a great asset to his department. The Biodex gives him an advantage when it comes to determining how a patient with concussion or fall risk fares in the real world.
“Before we just used a verbal test,” he said. “It was easier to pass the test. This gives us a more accurate view of a patient’s balance abilities.”
Since 1997, approximately $235,000 has gone toward purchasing medical technology for the Dells Area Hospital thanks to the Community Hospital Foundation.
“The mission of the Foundation is to help purchase equipment to provide our local hospital with the latest technology in order to benefit patients,” said Elouise Skatvold, President of the Dell Rapids Community Hospital Foundation. “The new Balance System will improve quality of life for patients from various walks of life, from young athletes to the elderly. We’re pleased to be able to help our hospital provide this state-of-the-art technology.”
Falls and fall-related injuries seriously affect older adults’ quality of life. Falls cause painful debilitating injuries for older adults. With the Biodex Balance System SD, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation therapists can identify and modify the factors that lead to falls among older adults. Certain people are at high risk for accidental falls and should be regularly screened to help reduce the high number of fall-related injuries and deaths in the United States, according to a guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology. The guideline takes into account all available scientific studies and concluded that people with stroke, dementia and walking and balance disorders have the greatest risk of falling. Having fallen in the past year strongly predicts that a person will suffer another fall, and people with Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness in the legs or feet and substantial vision loss are also at increased risk for falls. “Each year in the United States, accidental falls result in 1.8 million emergency room visits and more than 16,000 deaths,” says Scott McDermott, Occupational Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital and manager of Rehab Center. “At St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center we want to identify and help you modify the factors that lead to falls using our Biodex Balance System.” “A fear of falling is forefront in many older adults’ minds,” says McDermott. “By utilizing the Biodex Balance System, we can concentrate on rehabilitation and remove that fear. Building confidence and strength only improves results.” The Biodex Balance System enables the rehabilitation team at St. Luke’s Hospital to perform balance testing and identify fall risk candidates, determine ankle and knee status and determine limits of stability. This system also provides balance training including stabilization exercise, range of motion exercise and weight shift exercise. “People need to know that falls are preventable, and there are simple tests to determine if you’re at risk of falling,” McDermott said. “It’s important to discuss falls, since some people can face serious life consequences after falling. Issues such as disability and loss of independence may be averted only through fall prevention.” St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center is hosting a free, fall-risk screening and conditioning program Wednesday, July 23, from 8 a.m. until noon. Appointments are necessary so call 894-8419 to schedule your free, fall-risk screening today. – article submitted - See more at: http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2014/07/15/st-lukes-rehabilitation-center-to-host-free-fall-risk-screening/#sthash.WS4wUx5H.dpuf
Falls and fall-related injuries seriously affect older adults’ quality of life. Falls cause painful debilitating injuries for older adults. With the Biodex Balance System SD, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation therapists can identify and modify the factors that lead to falls among older adults. Certain people are at high risk for accidental falls and should be regularly screened to help reduce the high number of fall-related injuries and deaths in the United States, according to a guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology. The guideline takes into account all available scientific studies and concluded that people with stroke, dementia and walking and balance disorders have the greatest risk of falling. Having fallen in the past year strongly predicts that a person will suffer another fall, and people with Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness in the legs or feet and substantial vision loss are also at increased risk for falls. “Each year in the United States, accidental falls result in 1.8 million emergency room visits and more than 16,000 deaths,” says Scott McDermott, Occupational Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital and manager of Rehab Center. “At St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center we want to identify and help you modify the factors that lead to falls using our Biodex Balance System.” “A fear of falling is forefront in many older adults’ minds,” says McDermott. “By utilizing the Biodex Balance System, we can concentrate on rehabilitation and remove that fear. Building confidence and strength only improves results.” The Biodex Balance System enables the rehabilitation team at St. Luke’s Hospital to perform balance testing and identify fall risk candidates, determine ankle and knee status and determine limits of stability. This system also provides balance training including stabilization exercise, range of motion exercise and weight shift exercise. “People need to know that falls are preventable, and there are simple tests to determine if you’re at risk of falling,” McDermott said. “It’s important to discuss falls, since some people can face serious life consequences after falling. Issues such as disability and loss of independence may be averted only through fall prevention.” St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center is hosting a free, fall-risk screening and conditioning program Wednesday, July 23, from 8 a.m. until noon. Appointments are necessary so call 894-8419 to schedule your free, fall-risk screening today. – article submitted - See more at: http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2014/07/15/st-lukes-rehabilitation-center-to-host-free-fall-risk-screening/#sthash.WS4wUx5H.dpuf
Falls and fall-related injuries seriously affect older adults’ quality of life. Falls cause painful debilitating injuries for older adults. With the Biodex Balance System SD, St. Luke’s Rehabilitation therapists can identify and modify the factors that lead to falls among older adults. Certain people are at high risk for accidental falls and should be regularly screened to help reduce the high number of fall-related injuries and deaths in the United States, according to a guideline issued by the American Academy of Neurology. The guideline takes into account all available scientific studies and concluded that people with stroke, dementia and walking and balance disorders have the greatest risk of falling. Having fallen in the past year strongly predicts that a person will suffer another fall, and people with Parkinson’s disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness in the legs or feet and substantial vision loss are also at increased risk for falls. “Each year in the United States, accidental falls result in 1.8 million emergency room visits and more than 16,000 deaths,” says Scott McDermott, Occupational Therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital and manager of Rehab Center. “At St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center we want to identify and help you modify the factors that lead to falls using our Biodex Balance System.” “A fear of falling is forefront in many older adults’ minds,” says McDermott. “By utilizing the Biodex Balance System, we can concentrate on rehabilitation and remove that fear. Building confidence and strength only improves results.” The Biodex Balance System enables the rehabilitation team at St. Luke’s Hospital to perform balance testing and identify fall risk candidates, determine ankle and knee status and determine limits of stability. This system also provides balance training including stabilization exercise, range of motion exercise and weight shift exercise. “People need to know that falls are preventable, and there are simple tests to determine if you’re at risk of falling,” McDermott said. “It’s important to discuss falls, since some people can face serious life consequences after falling. Issues such as disability and loss of independence may be averted only through fall prevention.” St. Luke’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center is hosting a free, fall-risk screening and conditioning program Wednesday, July 23, from 8 a.m. until noon. Appointments are necessary so call 894-8419 to schedule your free, fall-risk screening today. – article submitted.