Physical Therapist in Transition : Geriatrics

Team Building

Karen Schiff — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:43:00 GMT

It has been a very busy week preparing, as best we could, for the changes we're currently experiencing. Working in a hospital-based, outpatient rehabilitation center, there had never been a dollar restriction on the visits allowed through straight Medicare....(read more)

Modified Charges

Karen Schiff — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:35:00 GMT

October 1 is just around the corner from now, and with it will bring changes to the allowances of physical therapy services for our Medicare population (along with occupational and speech therapy). I'd like to think that as a healthcare professional,...(read more)

Another Therapy Intervention

Karen Schiff — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 20:05:00 GMT

Another whole facet of rehabilitation is being introduced to me this week, with the entire week being spent in training to handle my facility's therapy dog, Pumpkin. I've got three days of intensive training under my belt, which includes lecture, interactive...(read more)

A Positive Change

Karen Schiff — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 19:20:00 GMT

Attention this week has been focused on the Medicare cap that will be in place starting October 1. This will affect all settings of physical therapy by limiting the amount of PT that a patient can receive. As an outpatient clinician, I'm usually the last...(read more)

Canine to the Rescue

Karen Schiff — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:42:00 GMT

There has always been a special place in my heart for animals. Friends and family are well aware of this fact. With extra room in my house the past few years, it has become more obvious, as I have become a foster mom to many animals who were either abused,...(read more)

The Search Continues

Karen Schiff — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:53:00 GMT

The search for a case report continues on a daily basis at work. Although I have to come up with a patient by early 2013, my eyes and ears are on the lookout for an interesting case so that I can share treatment intervention and outcomes. The sooner I...(read more)

Friendships Abound

Karen Schiff — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 15:43:00 GMT

During this summer "break" from school, I have come to realize how appreciative our patients are. I have the best days only because I am lucky enough to hear the praise of our patients about the staff at our facility. Even on the most difficult of days,...(read more)

Summer Semester 2012

Karen Schiff — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:08:00 GMT

One year down, one to go! The next six weeks will be filled with lectures and articles pertaining to women's health and vestibular rehabilitation. This should be exciting, as a classmate of mine is certified in vestibular rehabilitation, and I have been...(read more)

‘Repeat Offenders'

Karen Schiff — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:40:00 GMT

Another eventful week in outpatient rehabilitation. Seems as though we are seeing many "repeat offenders," as some call them; however, for different diagnoses than before. Working in the same facility for 20 years, we have patients who started with us...(read more)

Rapid Changes

Karen Schiff — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:09:00 GMT

Whew!! What a busy week... seems I've been saying that more and more these days. As this month rolls on, I am preparing to help my health care system close one outpatient department where I work as the interim director. Thankfully, an inpatient manager...(read more)

Nutrition and Food Interactions

Karen Schiff — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:04:00 GMT

This week has added another new role to the agenda. As a foster mom to four-legged creatures on a consistent basis (and subsequently adopting all), I took in two three-week-old kittens who would have otherwise been without a chance to survive. After this...(read more)