
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, August 5, 1995                   TAG: 9508070030
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Short

MONTGOMERY REGIONAL PROPOSAL GETS THE OK

Montgomery Regional Hospital cleared a regulatory hurdle this week in its effort to convert nine acute-care beds into a rehabilitation unit.

The Southwest Virginia Health Systems Agency Board, a regional review panel, recommended approval of Montgomery's proposal at a Wednesday meeting. The hospital's application for a certificate of public need now goes on for review by the state Health Department. The state health commissioner ultimately will rule on the certificate, which is required before the change can take place.

Montgomery Regional plans to spend $164,000 on the project, primarily to convert patient bathrooms to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. According to the hospital, there are currently no inpatient rehabilitation beds in the New River Valley. Instead, patients in need of such treatment - usually following physical or brain trauma from an accident or following joint surgery - must travel to Roanoke or far Southwest Virginia.

Montgomery Regional said the proposal will improve the "continuity of care" within the hospital and help ease excessive demand on its skilled nursing home beds. It also will make more efficient use of underused acute-care beds.

by CNB