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Toni Talks about PT Today

A Disturbing Trend
by Toni Patt
The old ladies of therapy have been talking again. This time we were discussing a trend we've noticed. We're concerned because what we've seen doesn't bode well for the future of our profession. None of us are excited with the new graduates we've been Read More...
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The Family Issue
by Toni Patt
Last weekend I was reminded of why I hate visiting hours. I went to treat a patient who had family in her room. Usually I let the patient decide if the family can stay. This time the family decided for the patient. Not only did they decide to stay they Read More...
69 views     1 comments »     
I'm Confused About Something
by Toni Patt
I work as a contract therapist. Using me is expensive. In Houston the rates for contract services keep going up. I think there have been two rate hikes in the last 6 months. Facilities use us to fill vacant positions until someone can be hired. Many facilities Read More...
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My Cat Died
by Toni Patt
My cat died last night. He was old. He lived a full kitty life. He died last night in my lap and I gently petted him. I could have taken him to the vet but all that would have happened is he would have been put to sleep. I couldn't do that to him. He Read More...
162 views     1 comments »     
Right Where I Want to Be
by Toni Patt
I'm back in the ICUs again. These aren't just any ICUs. They are in one of Houston's major hospitals, the place you want to be if anything bad happens to you. This is where I want to be. This is what I think of when I say ICU. These are among my favorite Read More...
105 views     0 comments »     
Loss of Identity
by Toni Patt
Last week in the electronic version of ADVANCE Deborah Cox, MSN, CRNP-F tackled the topic of identity loss and the elderly. She explained how entry into a long term care facility such as an SNF causes an individual to lose his or her identity. Instead, Read More...
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Who is Responsible?
by Toni Patt
Like most therapists, I'm a veteran of interdisciplinary turf battles. Usually the problem is PT and nursing going around over getting a patient out of bed. Sometimes it's about whether out of bed to chair is a PT or a nursing order. This time was a little Read More...
228 views     1 comments »     
The Squeaky Patient Gets the Oil
by Toni Patt
There's an old saying that says "the squeaky wheel will get the oil." I think a similar saying exists in health care. It says "the patient who complains the loudest gets the most attention." I've never seen it fail. As soon as a patient starts complaining, Read More...
180 views     2 comments »     
Back in the Lab Again
by Toni Patt
I spent last weekend in Dallas. I had to go there for a lab for my online class. Three one day labs are required. This was the first. It was also my first venture into onsite graduate education. My first class was 100 percent online. All the lectures Read More...
148 views     0 comments »     
We Just Don't Get Along
by Toni Patt
What do you do when you have a patient you don't like? I don't mean one you are unsure how to treat or one who drives you crazy. We've all had those. We've all learned to take a deep breath and just do it. I think we all have patient types we prefer to Read More...
407 views     3 comments »     
I Wouldn’t Treat a Dog This Way
by Toni Patt
My dog, Mckenzie, is getting old. I've been watching him gradually slow down. He's nine which is retirement age in people years. He takes arthritis medicine. He eats a special diet for mature dogs. He's beginning to have trouble transferring sit to stand. Read More...
277 views     1 comments »     
I Lift Patients For a Living
by Toni Patt
This week I started wondering about something. When did physical therapy become synonymous with getting people out of bed? For the last week it seemed like all I did was get patients out of bed. Now out of bed is a good thing. It increases alertness, Read More...
539 views     5 comments »     
Quality Help is Hard to Find
by Toni Patt
Remember the days when the only people who worked for contract staffing companies were the ones who couldn't get a job anywhere else? Those days are long gone. Some very good therapists work for these companies. Using a contract therapist can be expensive. Read More...
199 views     2 comments »