LLUH Speech-Language Pathologist teams transform lives
The significant growth in awareness of speech, language, and swallowing disorders is impacting approaches to patient management. One outgrowth of this increased attention is the increased demand for speech therapy services.
Loma Linda University Health has teams of Speech-Language Pathologists serving University Hospital (14 therapists), Children’s Hospital (4), Murrieta Hospital (4), East Campus (11), Outpatient Rehabilitation (7), and the Specialty Team Center (3). Team members work to manage many types of cognitive communication and swallowing deficits and serve a total of 9300 patients per year.
Our Medical Center, Children's Hospital, and Murrieta Hospital speech pathology team provide services to patients immediately following a severe health event. East Campus Speech Pathology staff provides intensive rehabilitation to our patients who no longer have acute, life threatening medical needs. Speech therapists here focus on rehabilitation, as patients recovering in this facility can tolerate up to three hours of therapy a day.
The Pediatric Specialty Team Center provide multidisciplinary, comprehensive, and individualized patient care for children ages birth through 21 years, many having chronic, multisystem medical challenges. Therapists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment, as well as long-term follow-up care. Speech Pathologists in this campus cover 12 clinics, including three full-time staff serving LLUCH's Craniofacial Clinic located on Caroline Street, near the LLUH Human Resource Building.
Pediatric and adult outpatients needing speech therapy are seen at the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center adjacent to East Campus Hospital at 11406 Loma Linda Drive.
The Outpatient Rehabilitation Center recently began an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program, an opportunity for aphasic patients to participate in rehabilitation using traditional speech therapy, technology, and functional life activities. Along with improving cognitive linguistic skills and a patient’s communication ability, ICAP also serves to improve a patient’s psychological and social well-being as they recover from a devastating stroke or brain injury.
Demand for Speech-Language Pathology services is projected to increase in the coming years. Technology such as tablets, apps, and smartphones continue to enhance therapy approaches. In addition, the increased survival of premature infants, trauma, and stroke patients have increased the need of speech therapy intervention.
