Communication concerning the disease process to the patient and family also is stressed. Eight monitored maximum observation neurology beds and 42 other telemetry-equipped beds are available for patient care. In addition, a large stroke program is available, including the Brain Attack Program for interventional therapy of acute cerebrovascular diseases. The division also provides electrodiagnostic studies including electroencephalography, electromyography and evoked potentials. A headache program also is offered, as well as child neurology and services to care for patients with acute and chronic multiple sclerosis.
Residents interact regularly with attending physicians.
Bedside teaching is ongoing as part of daily rounds, and didactic conferences in clinical neurology and the basic neurosciences occur throughout the week. The Division of Respiratory Diseases diagnoses and treats patients suffering from a wide variety of lung disorders, including acute and chronic respiratory failure, asthma, pulmonary diseases of any nature, lung cancer, tuberculosis, chronic obstructive lung diseases and systemic lung conditions. In addition, the hospital operates the Sleep Disorders Center, two hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers, a pulmonary rehabilitation program and a lung transplantation program. Allegheny General also provides expanded care for patients with special needs with its 119-bed Continuing Care Center. The center provides restorative care on a short-term basis for patients 18 and older in a homelike environment.