Daily Local, 5/2/2022- Houlahan hears calls for more beds during tour of Chester County hospitals
By Bill Retwe
EAST GOSHEN — Main Line Health’s Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital and Paoli Memorial Hospital hosted U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th, of Easttown, Monday.
The tour at Bryn Mawr Rehab was led by President Donna Phillips and staff. The group covered much ground at the large facility. Several specialists interacted with the congresswoman.
Houlahan asked several questions and talked about her priorities, career, and her family’s connection to health care.
She was particularly interested in overhead mechanical lifts. The lift is suspended from above and is used to transfer patients within bed, and from bed to a wheel chair, while increasing mobility.
“Since the goal of rehabilitation is increased independence, patients get in and out of bed and their wheelchairs several times throughout the course of each day to dress, attend therapy and eat meals,” according to Bryn Mawr rehab release. “The process of moving into and out of the bed can be challenging for both the patient and the staff.
“The risk for injury to both the patient and staff is high when a patient loses their balance or loses strength in their legs during the transfer into or out of the bed.”
The lift makes it safer for both patients and staff, according to Sharon Strohecker, vice president of Patient Care Services.
Staffers asked Houlahan to help support purchase of 34 new lifts for $825,000. The facility now relies on 50 Hoyer lifts.
Houlahan noted that she is one of 435 members of Congress and making laws is a team effort.
She asked Bryn Mawr staffers to reach out to legislators with their priorities, and specifically where to send resources, while participating in the process.
“It’s like a game of rugby — the rugby ball bounces back and forth,” Houlahan said. “Help me push the ball.
“If you see something, say something.”
The rehab features an aquatic pool, specializes in oncology, treats post COVID patients, brain injuries and concussion patients. The rehab even houses patient families on campus.
The rehab recently received a prestigious nationwide distinction from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities for its inpatient Cancer Rehab program.
“Cancer rehabilitation addresses weakness, pain and fatigue, changes in function related to brain, head and neck, spinal cord and other tumors, and conditions resulting from cancer and cancer treatments,” reads a release issued by Main Line Health. “The care team and patient work together to achieve the individualized goals.”
Houlahan said to the tour group, near the tail end of the event, that her main issue in Congress is health care.
“I like the atmosphere here,” she said. “You can feel it.
“It’s a testament to you all. This is a place you want to be.
Houlahan, U.S. Airforce veteran, talked about her brother, a U.S. Army surgical nurse who she often uses as a sounding board.
“The real is that there is not enough nurses,” she said. “There is a crisis of care.
“I very much want to help.”
Jon Stallkamp, chief medical officer for Main Line Health told the congresswoman about the need for more hospital beds for mental health patients, especially after Brandywine Hospital recently closed.
“Especially after COVID, mental health has become such an issue,” Stallkamp said. “Health care workers are put at risk.”
Houlahan said that COVID has created another generation of veterans — veterans of health care.
Houlahan also said that some don’t want to recognize that the pandemic is still ongoing.
“In the minds of the government, COVID does not exist,” Houlahan said. “Of course it does exist.
“We have to start getting creative.”