FALLBROOK – The opening of the new Center for Specialty Services at Fallbrook Hospital (Center) expands the capacity and capabilities for new and existing services to better meet the needs of the community. Public officials, community leaders and staff attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening event held on July 21.

"The Center's opening demonstrates our continued commitment to adding new and improving existing services to better meet the needs of our community," stated Alex Villa, CEO. Fallbrook Hospital Physical Therapy moved from its Potter Street location to the Center at 617 Alvarado Street, and now includes a larger gym and comfortable therapy rooms for patients undergoing physical, occupational and speech therapy. Outpatient Laboratory Services, also relocated, offers outpatient lab draw services and is a designated Quest Diagnostics draw station.

A new service available at the Center is a fall prevention and balance program. Covered by most insurance plans including Medicare, patients are screened to determine their risk for falls. Increased risk factors include age, medical history, medication changes, muscle changes, and a recent injury or surgery. The Biodex Balance SD System technology assists in evaluating patients for balance limitations and helps to determine proper treatment.

A personalized exercise program is designed for patients who are at risk of falling due to physical limitation such as strength and/or balance. The structured program consists of exercise targeted to improve strength, balance, walking speed, step length, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Athletes can also benefit from the high level balance training offered with this program.

Another new service that will be provided at the Center by fall 2011 is outpatient wound care. A team of professionals including local physicians, a certified wound ostomy and continence nurse and a certified foot care nurse will evaluate and treat non-healing wounds that may be caused by diabetes, pressure, post-surgery, trauma or vascular conditions.

The Center is located in a recently redecorated facility near the corner of Alvarado and Brandon, and has convenient parking for patients along with a comfortable and spacious reception area.