Sonoma Valley Hospital plans to expand physical therapy facility

Sonoma Valley Hospital plans to expand the treatment area, services and staffing at its Hand and Physical Therapy facility by next year in response to a growing number of patients.

“We’ve maxed out on the space we have,” said Chris Gallo, rehab services manager of the facility. “We have an aging population base here in Sonoma. In a recent eight-day window, we had 120 referrals for physical therapy evaluations. Each of these referrals may result in six to 10 or more follow-ups.

“We have added five additional staff in the last year as well as a traveler, but the demand persists.”

He said the facility, located at 19312 Sonoma Highway in Boyes Hot Springs, is one of the few nearby providers of outpatient services for people with Partnership or Medi-Cal insurance coverage.

The facility provides physical and occupational therapy services. Physical therapists focus on movement by using evidence-based tools, techniques and exercises that are geared to each individual to prevent injury and restore functioning. Occupational therapists concentrate on restoring function of the upper extremities, specifically the hands.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the facility handled 10,225 physical therapy visits and 1,620 occupational therapy visits.

During the $2 million expansion — which is slated to begin in early 2024 and be completed by the end of the year — a current office space will be converted to double the square footage of the existing patient service area.

“We plan to have dedicated spaces and equipment for vestibular and balance needs, pediatrics, pelvic health and a functional training are allowing higher functioning individuals to be challenged in more sport-specific ways,” Gallo said.

New HVAC systems, bathrooms in exam rooms, flooring and lighting and equipment also will be installed.

A dedicated children’s area will also be created during the expansion.

“We envision a creative space, a space rich with opportunities for young patients to explore and expand their gross motor skills and challenge their students in a safe environment,” Gallo said.

The area could include a climbing structure, a swing, large mat tables and large floor mats.

“We want a safe place for a baby to bridge, roll and crawl, or for a child to run, kick and throw,” Gallo said. “Having a separate space will keep everyone else safe, too. We want a comfortable place to work with parents, to teach them how to interact and elicit the correct responses from their children.

“Why go to this trouble? We want these children to be able to be successful in school. One of the biggest concerns for parents is that their child won’t keep up physically and it may lead to the child being left out. If we can intervene early with the right input, much of that can be alleviated.”

John Hennelly, CEO of Sonoma Valley Hospital, said the facility hopes to eventually provide therapy within 72 hours of request.

“That is our stretch goal,” he said. “It will be achieved by a blend of things we can influence, and things we can’t. We can influence building adequate space and recruiting an adequate number of providers. We have limited ability to influence the behavior of insurance companies.

“We’re struggling with Anthem right now. At times, our insurance company partners don’t recognize the costs involved in providing care. When they underpay, it impacts our ability to staff and serve.”

Plans call for the facility to add four to six physical therapists and two physical therapy assistants. One physical therapy assistant has been on staff for a year and another one recently was added.

Physical therapy assistants are licensed professionals who work under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. They perform evaluations, develop treatment plans, provide treatments and sometimes take measurements based on patients’ responses to treatments.

“They collaborate with the physical therapists to modify care as necessary, based on responses to treatment,” Gallo said. “I think of the physical therapy assistants as part of a treatment team, an extension of the physical therapist, providing care based on the treatment plan, utilizing their own expertise, based on their experience and the patient’s responses to treatment.”

The project is being funded almost entirely through philanthropic contributions.

“Our community continues to be incredibly generous when it comes to the Valley’s health care needs,” Hennelly said.

Reach the reporter, Dan Johnson, at daniel.johnson@sonomanews.com.