The Voivodeship Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in America, near Olsztyn, specializes in rehabilitating and treating allergies in children up to 18 years old. It is one of the largest and most modern facilities of its kind in Poland. The hospital provides inpatient care in three departments: Rehabilitation, Allergology-Rehabilitation, and the Department of 24-hour Care for Children with Caregivers. Patients are also treated on an outpatient basis at the Day Stay Unit. Additionally, orthopedic procedures are performed at the One-Day Surgery Department. The hospital also has specialist outpatient clinics for Allergology, Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, and Speech Therapy. Foreign patients who are not insured in Poland can use the above services by paying for them according to the hospital price list.
The Allergology-Rehabilitation Department provides 24-hour services in the field of general systemic and pulmonary rehabilitation as well as treatment of allergic diseases. In the field of allergies, the department offers a wide range of diagnostic tests that are performed during short hospital stays lasting from one to several days. Diagnostic tests include: skin prick tests with inhalant and food allergens, patch tests with chemical allergens, native tests, allergen provocations (inhalant and food), blood tests such as: total IgE, specific IgE, allergen panels, and molecular allergy diagnostics (sIgE), blood eosinophil counts, nasal mucosa and gastrointestinal tract tests. Respiratory function tests are also performed, such as spirometry, ergospirometry, impulse oscillometry, acoustic rhinometry, nitric oxide test (FeNO), bodyplethysmography, diffusion, and hydrogen tests for lactose and fructose intolerance, as well as imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound).
The Rehabilitation Department includes children and young people aged 3 to 18 who are qualified for hospital treatment – 24-hour care. The department provides rehabilitation mainly for children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, and rheumatological disorders. The department admits patients after injuries and surgical procedures and prepares them for surgery. Preoperative preparation also includes radiological, laboratory, spirometric, physiotherapeutic, and kinesiotherapeutic diagnostics. Rehabilitation focuses mainly on rebuilding and strengthening muscle strength, reducing muscle tension, elongating and mobilizing the spine, eliminating joint contractures, creating new patterns and movement techniques, as well as prosthetic care, learning to walk independently, and self-care.
In the 24-hour Care for Children with Caregivers Department, patients aged 3 to 18 requiring constant presence of a caregiver and general systemic, neurological, and pulmonary rehabilitation are hospitalized. Children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, rheumatological, and respiratory system disorders are admitted.
In the Day Stay Unit, rehabilitation is directed towards patients whose health condition does not require round-the-clock medical supervision. Patients are under professional medical care and benefit from all prescribed physiotherapy treatments. The duration of rehabilitation and the type of treatment are individually tailored to the patient’s health problem and capabilities. Children with orthopedic, surgical, neurological, neurosurgical, and rheumatological disorders are hospitalized in the form of day stay.
The Physiotherapy Department closely cooperates with all hospital departments. It is equipped with specialist equipment and employs a team of committed physiotherapists who help our patients recover as quickly as possible. The number of physiotherapists and their qualifications allow for the application of the most appropriate therapy for each patient. In the physiotherapy department, specialists use neurophysiological, manual, and Veronica Sherborne methods, as well as Sensory Integration. In our hospital, we are prepared to conduct therapeutic exercises and interventions in a very wide range within the sub-departments of individual and group kinesiotherapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, and therapeutic massage.
The Day Surgery Unit carries out a wide range of surgical procedures for adults and children, including minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, allowing for a short stay of the patient in the Unit. The procedures are performed by specialist doctors in orthopedics and traumatology of the musculoskeletal system.
After hospitalization, patients can continue treatment in outpatient conditions, in the allergology, rehabilitation, orthopedic, and speech therapy clinics.
Employees and additional benefits. Our hospital employs a team of qualified doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, and educators who have experience working with children. The staff is committed to treating and rehabilitating patients individually and professionally, using the latest diagnostic methods. This team ensures that therapy is as effective as possible, while also being as stress-free as possible for the small patients. Our priority is always the well-being of our patients. We strive not only to maintain a high level of qualifications but also to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere, which has a positive impact on the well-being of those staying in our hospital.
In addition to comprehensive medical care, children in our hospital can also count on the support of specialists in psychology, speech therapy, and dietetics. The support of a psychologist is an essential element of hospitalization, providing patients with emotional support and helping them cope with the stress associated with illness and adjusting to a new situation. We offer individual and group psychological assistance as well as family therapy. In the hospital, we also diagnose and treat speech disorders. We improve communication functions, language proficiency, stimulate speech development, and correct articulation abnormalities. We provide support for the functioning of small and large patients with various disabilities. The dietitian is responsible for planning and monitoring the diet of patients, which is of great importance for the child’s health and physical condition. They also conduct consultations with families to provide appropriate education on a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition.
Staying with the child’s parent/guardian. In our hospital, there is the possibility of parental care, which means that parents can stay with their child throughout the hospitalization period. This solution is very beneficial for both the child and the parent, as the child can feel safer, and the parent can be involved in the treatment process and help the child in everyday, often difficult and full of doubt moments. This solution improves the parent-child relationship and favors the hospitalization process.
Teaching during hospitalization. Additionally, school-age children who are hospitalized for a longer period have the opportunity to participate in educational classes organized in the pre-hospital school. Teachers conduct these classes according to the curriculum, trying to adjust them to the needs and individual abilities of each child, taking into account their health status and the degree of advancement of the disease. Thanks to this, children do not waste time and do not postpone learning, which significantly facilitates their return to school after hospitalization.
Continuing education under difficult health conditions has a positive effect on the intellectual and emotional development of the child. Participation in educational activities helps to maintain a positive attitude and strengthens the child’s sense of self-worth, even in the case of separation from family and peers. Therefore, school in the hospital is an important element of child care, providing them with the best conditions for recovery and returning to.
Microclimate. An additional asset of our hospital is its location in a forest complex, the advantages of which have been proven in years of scientific research. This place is charming and has a positive impact on the mental, physical, and overall well-being of our patients.