EARH Physical Therapy Department to relocate to downtown Ritzville

The East Adams Rural Healthcare Physical Therapy Department will have a new business location on Dec. 1.

The decision came during the regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 22 of the Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners meeting.

Physical Therapist and Rehab Director Dale Nelson presented to the commissioners regarding the issues the physical therapy department is having, mainly in lack of space.

With a strong staff throughout the department, Nelson stated he believes the need for physical therapy will continue to grow within the community, and the department needs to stay a step ahead.

Nelson explained the department staff is currently split between the hospital and East Adams Care Center. Within the collective department, three of the staff members are also shared with the Odessa Hospital District.

The department is currently housed in the dental building on the hospital grounds, and previously had operated out of the current administration building. Since the staff is working between two facilities, Nelson said they need adequate space to assist and treat patients with the highest level of care possible.

Since the move into the dental building, Nelson explained the staff has not had access to the majority of their equipment, as it is currently in storage.

Nelson proposed since both the hospital and Care Center had inadequate space for the department, the district should consider renting a building for additional space in downtown Ritzville.

Nelson said the intention is to rent space downtown in order to provide the full range of services available by the qualified staff.

He explained the department is currently limited with outpatient treatments, but the additional space would allow them an opportunity to serve those patients.

The decision to relocate and pay rent should be financially sound, Nelson stated.

He estimated the yearly costs for the space and services would cost the district around $20,000, while the physical therapy and occupational therapy department should net an estimated $44,000 a year.

Nelson said the department has been receiving a lot of community support, and he believes it is time to provide the community with the level of care they deserve.

Nelson’s plan is to use the space to provide a full range of services, as the department could finally utilize the equipment instead of waiting for the construction work to be completed at the hospital.

“It’s the best option to work well with the community and serve the community,” Nelson said.

The hospital district recently purchased the dental building specifically for the physical therapy department, but they had also intended on installing a modular unit besides the building for additional workspace.

Since the modular unit cannot be placed next to the current building, the board of commissioners agreed the department needed to find a larger space to utilize.

The board of commissioners voted in favor of the department utilizing space in downtown Ritzville, with Ross Heimbigner opposing the motion.

They voted to move into lease negotiations for the property, with the qualification Nelson must provide quarterly reports to the board to discuss the success of the department.

The lease on the building, located next to Kragt Chiropractic on East Main Avenue, begins on Dec. 1.

The department will operate out of the building for a year and then an evaluation will be completed to determine the best location for the department in the future.

During the meeting, Bostrom explained the expected completion date of the Phase One construction of the hospital is Jan. 21.

The administrators currently using the Administration building will move into business offices in the newly remodeled area, and Bostrom explained there is potential for the Administration building to serve in a variety of roles, with one possibility being the physical therapy department.

The physical therapy department intends to have an open house for the community, after the staff have settled into the new facility.

The next hospital board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the Clinic Lobby.

The meeting is being held a week early, due to the Thanksgiving holiday.