BROWSE BY TAGS

• General Interest
• Patient Care
• Rehabilitation

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 »     

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 »     

Functional Matters
by Toni Patt

We have a new lunch table topic at work. Another therapist and I had seen the same patient a week apart. She performed the initial evaluation. I performed a re-evaluation a few days later. Our objective values were about the same. She put the patient Read More...

267 views     2 comments »     

You Must Like Where You Work
by Toni Patt

Last week an OT scolded me. She found out I have McKenzie credentials and couldn't believe I was working in a hospital. She told me I had to be in an OP setting treating spine patients. She even asked me why I was working in a hospital. Shouldn't I be Read More...

277 views     2 comments »     

Society Needs to Rethink Elder Care
by Toni Patt

I've noticed a disturbing trend when developing discharge plans for elderly patients. Families aren't as involved as they once were. When I first practiced therapy discharge plans weren't a problem. Families took patients home to care for them. Sometimes Read More...

329 views     2 comments »     

A Visit to Outpatient Land
by Toni Patt

Last week I had an opportunity to do something I rarely get to do. I worked in an OP ortho clinic. Since I usually work in acute care or SNFs it was a nice change of pace. I got a chance to visit OP land. Yet, by the time the day ended I was wondering Read More...

346 views     1 comments »     

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...

447 views     1 comments »     

What if I Won the Lottery?
by Toni Patt

Today at lunch we talked about what we would do if we won the lottery. Almost every one said she would continue to work but not at her current job. A couple said they would stay home and be mom. An ST said she would volunteer her time to help uninsured Read More...

1040 views     2 comments »