Fayette Community Hospital continues to grow, not only in the number of patients, but also in the number of facilities, services and physicians available to the county.

At present, 338 physicians are on staff meeting 95 percent of all health care needs in the area and are soaring above projections in every patient category, according to hospital spokesperson Nina Montanero.

Specialties represented at the hospital include: anestesiology, cardiology, cardiovascular, colon and rectal surgery, dermatology, emergency medicine, ENT, family practice, gastroenterology, general surgery, hematology, internal medicine, nephrology, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, oncoloy, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, pathology, pediatric anestesiology, pediatric dentistry, pediatrics, plastic surgery, pulmonology, radiation oncology, radiology, urology, and vascular surgery.

The newest addition, set to open at the end of this month, is the 12-station renal-dialysis center, offered for convenience of patients who require treatments up to three times a week. The center is owned and operated by Gambro Health Care, the world's second largest provider of renal dialysis services.

The center will be a non-reuse facility, said Montanero, which means new dyalizers will be used for each patient.

According to Montanero, the director of corporate development for Gambro Health Care Patient Services, Greg Santulli, feels that the convenience of the center will make patients who receive treatment much more comfortable.

"They like the assurance that thy are very close to medical care if they should need it," he said. "Also, with patients needing dialysis three times a week, a location near the hospital enables them to see other medical professional while they're in the vicinity."

Of specific interest to parents, is the extensive pediatrics services available. The pediatrics ward contains recently added seven in-patient beds for short-term observation.

A specialized pediatric staff in ER is on duty during peak hours, which is from 5-11 p.m. weekdays and 1 p.m.-11 a.m. weekends. Other pediatric departments include pediatric surgery and orthodontics.

FCH lives up to its name as a community center. On-going outreach programs such as free lectures by physicians, defensive driving courses, programs in early detection and preventive medicine, and support groups are offered year-round.

A unique feature of the hospital is the Rehabilitation and Fitness Center where therapy patient can continue exercise treatment through membership. The center is available to those recovering from joint surgery, those needing hand therapy and wound care, patients suffering with arthritis, fibromylagia, or multiple sclerosis.

A complete physical therapy staff offers assistance in using everything from the state-of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance equipment to aerobics classes.

Keeping up with technology allows the hospital to handle the growing needs of the community faster.

The multi-diagnostic center at FCH includes advanced radiology procedures that cuts X-ray time in half and allows images to be transmitted over telephone lines to other hospitals and specialists. New ultrasound equipment allows the hospital to perform multiple hospital screens within the same unit.

Other high-tech services such as nuclear medicine using radioactive injections are also frequently used.