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Fairview Opens New Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
June 25, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fairview Hospital Opens Expanded Outpatient Clinic in Great Barrington GREAT BARRINGTON, MA – Fairview Hospital has opened its second satellite rehabilitation clinic in Southern Berkshire, at 10 Maple Avenue in Great Barrington. The new facility offers nearly five times the space that available in the previous hospital-based clinic, as well as easier access. On-site parking is readily available and all services are located on one floor, with no stairs, steps or elevators, to make it easier for rehabilitation patients with mobility issues. The new clinic will offer the same comprehensive program of services that were available at the original hospital location. Hospital-based rehabilitation services are still provided to hospital inpatients at Fairview. The new outpatient facility allows for expanded services and upgraded therapeutic equipment in its large new gym. Nine new private treatment areas improve patient care. “This is important, not only because it insures privacy for the patient, but it allows the physical therapist or occupational therapist to establish better communication,” said Bobbie Ransom, Director of Rehabilitation at Fairview. “Private treatment areas allow the patient to more easily deal with the emotional component of the problem. This can be an important part of healing and of our capacity to help the patient. Fairview Hospital’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic is the only JCAHO-accredited (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) outpatient rehabilitation practice in South Berkshire County. As a result, Fairview’s Outpatient Clinic is mandated to meet the highest standards of care in areas such as infection control, patient safety and privacy. Berkshire Health Systems’ Biomedical Equipment Team maintains equipment to make sure it is functioning properly and safely. The new outpatient center is also the largest rehabilitation clinic in South Berkshire, with a team of nine physical therapy and occupational therapy professionals working in a collaborative team environment. “Our evidence-based practice assures that our team has the standard skills necessary, but each member has their own subspecialty and attend professional education programs in specialty areas,” said Ransom. “This increases the pool of resources available to each patient. In its first month, the new clinic had already experienced a 13% increase in usage due to its more visible location in Great Barrington. “People walk in when they see we are here and we are already getting calls from doctors in Florida and Arizona, referring their patients while they are summering in the Berkshires,” said Ransom. Appointments are available Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Call (413) 854-9740 for information.