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Toni Talks about PT Today

Quit Complaining
by Toni Patt
Over the last few weeks my department has been undergoing some changes. After reviewing our numbers over the last few months, our manager realized we haven't been complaint with the three-hour rule. For those who don't work in a rehab setting, the three-hour Read More...
46 views     0 comments »     
The Pretty, Young Therapist
by Toni Patt
Last week something was said during rounds that I'm still angry about. We were discussing a new admission. Since my case load was low, I asked if I needed to see the patient. In response, I was told the patient had been given to the young, pretty therapist Read More...
179 views     3 comments »     
Preferred Patient Types
by Toni Patt
This morning while doing the schedule board, we started talking about what type of patients each of us prefers to treat. It started when one of the PTAs asked to change one of her patients. She explained the patient in question was a back patient and Read More...
172 views     2 comments »     
Therapists Can Have Input Into the Technology We Use
by Toni Patt
Last week I wrote about Dr. Craik's comments that many PTs aren't ready for Vision 2020. Those comments were only one portion of a longer talk on physical therapy. She also spoke about the future of physical therapy and her vision of what is possible Read More...
163 views     1 comments »     
Physical Impairment Doesn’t Equal Impaired Cognition
by Toni Patt
Last Saturday, one of my patients complained to me about the nurses. He was frustrated that he was being spoken to like a child. His words to me were "I'm not stupid." The man isn't stupid, but on initial presentation he could give that appearance. He Read More...
235 views     1 comments »     
How to Handle Incorrect Information
by Toni Patt
I found myself in an awkward situation a few days ago. I had just finished an evaluation in the stroke unit. The OT was preparing to work with the patient, so I gave her a summary of what I had already done so she could be more efficient. I mentioned Read More...
366 views     1 comments »     
Physical Therapy and Obesity
by Toni Patt
This month I was actually able to stay current when I read my PT Journal . I found an interesting article. The researchers looked at the approaches and attitudes of PTs toward the obese. They questioned a random sample of currently practicing therapists Read More...
440 views     5 comments »     
Where Does Our Responsibility to Our Patients End?
by Toni Patt
I've been asking myself that question a lot lately. I've had a run of patients who seem to be reluctant to take responsibility for both themselves and their care. I'm not talking about patients who are emotionally needy or concerned about the future and Read More...
181 views     1 comments »     
Discharge Planning is a Responsibility
by Toni Patt
For the better part of last week I was the bad guy. I made several decisions that weren't popular with both patients and physicians. That sounds strange on the surface. The decisions were made in the best interest of the patients. In one case I recommended Read More...
214 views     0 comments »     
This Was a Learning Experience
by Toni Patt
Recently I had the opportunity to work with a different PTA on the rehab unit. She'd worked there off and on over the years and more recently has been filling in as needed. For some reason I hadn't met her previously. I'm sorry to say I wish I would have Read More...
197 views     2 comments »     
Patients are Getting Sicker
by Toni Patt
I've noticed something over the last several months. The patients I've been treating are sicker and more involved than they were even two years ago. I'm not sure when this started or why. But it's been happening and gradually getting worse. The patients Read More...
269 views     0 comments »     
Computers Are a Part of PT
by Toni Patt
My computer was down for a few days. Three calls to the manufacturer later and I'm back up and running. Being computer-less was an eye-opening experience. It made me realize how much I've come to depend on mine. I had to stop and think about how to do Read More...
163 views     0 comments »     
What Are We Trying to Accomplish?
by Toni Patt
I've started working in an inpatient rehab unit this week. The case load is primarily neurologic or polytrauma patients. The unit is based in a large teaching hospital so the admitting diagnoses are always interesting and varied. I've been there a week Read More...
184 views     0 comments »     
We Should Always Be Professional
by Toni Patt
This week my assignment is a smaller hospital in the suburbs of Houston. I've been there before on weekends and some holidays. I was looking forward to being there. Now I'm looking forward to leaving. The lack of professionalism I've experienced there Read More...
219 views     1 comments »     
Don’t Tell Me to Ignore the Practice Act
by Toni Patt
I heard something today I just couldn't believe. I was talking to the department manager about who is responsible for putting patients back to bed. My point was in order for physical therapy to be physical therapy, a skilled intervention must be involved. Read More...
495 views     3 comments »     
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