Fayette Community Hospital (FCH) has expanded its rehabilitation services with the introduction of speech therapy. Conducted by a speech-language pathologist, these sessions provide assistance to those who are among the 42 million Americans suffering from communication disorders.

“Most people take the ability to communicate for granted,” said Donna Leonard, M.A., CCC-SLP, a speech-language pathologist on staff at FCH. “A communication barrier can happen to anyone at anytime, limiting the potential for academic, social and career achievement or the ability to live independently.”

Communication disorders include a variety of problems affecting speech, language, voice and fluency. Not only does speech-language therapy address these complications, but the scope of the practice also involves rehabilitative programs for cognitive and social aspects of communication.

Complications from stroke, vocal polyps, closed head injuries, laryngeal cancer or similar incidents may lead to one or more speech-language deficiencies. Based upon a patient's condition, speech therapy programs are tailored to best suit each individual and put him or her on the most effective route to recovery.

Patients are seen on an inpatient or outpatient basis for one-hour sessions continuing anywhere from two weeks to three months. Typically, patients enter speech therapy from a physician referral; however, many patients come to FCH from subacute care rehab programs and nursing homes.

“Upon recovery from a trauma resulting in a speech deficiency, a patient may be admitted to a subacute care facility for intensive speech-language rehabilitation,” said Leonard. “Once the patient is ready to return home, he or she generally needs follow-up sessions on an outpatient basis. Now, patients who have been discharged from a subacute center can receive continued therapy right here in their community.”

Speech-language pathologists also specialize in the treatment of dysphagia, or the inability to swallow. At FCH, modified barium swallow studies are provided on an inpatient and outpatient basis to detect swallowing abnormalities, which could result in the aspiration of foods or liquids into the lungs.

Other speech-language rehabilitation services provided at the Hospital include voice restoration for those patients who have had a laryngectomy, an operation during which the voice box and larynx are removed. Rehab treatments following a laryngectomy can include teaching patients to use esophageal speech (bringing outside air into the mouth in order to produce sound), to use an artificial larynx, and to work with a prosthesis placement following a tracheoesophageal puncture, which allows air to pass from the trachea to the esophagus, thereby facilitating speech.

Early detection and treatment can delay or prevent further progression of a speech-language problem. To learn more about the Hospital's speech-language program, contact the FCH Rehabilitation and Fitness Center at 770-719-7095. Appointments are available with a physician referral Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are covered by most insurance.

Fayette Community Hospital, a not-for-profit subsidiary of Piedmont Medical Center and member of PROMINA Health System, is located on Highway 54 in Fayetteville. Services of the 100-bed community hospital include: 24-hour emergency department, medical/surgical, critical care, diagnostics, including laboratory, radiology and mammography, respiratory, physical therapy and rehabilitation, outpatient surgery and comprehensive outpatient services. Visit the Hospital's Web site at www.fayettehospital.org for more information on its services

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