Aired Dec. 7, 2009 4:40 PM
By Josh Peterson, KVEW TV Reporter
RICHLAND — Hospital patients with mobility problems at Kadlec Regional Medical Center now have a new way to get rehabilitated.
The new inpatient rehabilitation vehicle is designed to help patients enter vehicles, adjust mirrors and put on seat belts before they get on the road after being released.
Columbia Basin College’s Autobody students built the car in a few weeks.
The truck was a ‘Cash for Clunkers’ car. It was donated from Pasco Auto Wrecking.
Before it arrived, patients used to practice vehicle procedures outside in their own cars.
“Now that we have this capability, we’re gonna be able to practice more regularly and really take some of the stress away from being able to go home after you’ve been in the hospital for an extended period of time,” said Angela Mohondro, Kadlec Director of Rehabilitation.
Mohondro says the rehabilitation vehicle is only the second one in the state.
She says it will be used every day starting today.