Toni Talks about PT Today : Rehabilitation

Quit Complaining

Toni Patt — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:44:00 GMT

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)

My NDT Course Wasn’t What I Expected

Toni Patt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:02:00 GMT

Last weekend I finally got the chance to attend an NDT course. Even though some of the material was basic, it pulled things together for me. For the first time I feel like I might have a chance at passing the NCS exam in a year or two. Listening to the...(read more)

I Don’t Do Enough Exercise With My Patients

Toni Patt — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:21:00 GMT

While was doing research for a recent assignment I came across a statement that made me stop and think. In essence it said you can't get functional improvement without strengthening. My first reaction was "Doh! Everyone knows that." That's one of the...(read more)

My Patient Doesn’t Want to Work With Me

Toni Patt — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:32:00 GMT

Last week I inherited an interesting patient from a therapist who went on vacation. The patient is an 87-year-old Chinese female admitted with a diagnosis of right MCA infarct. She has a history of undiagnosed dementia. She lives with her husband and...(read more)

Therapists Can Have Input Into the Technology We Use

Toni Patt — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:34:00 GMT

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)

Physical Therapy and Obesity

Toni Patt — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:45:00 GMT

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)

PROM Is Not a Skilled Service

Toni Patt — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Rehab services and the Neurology physicians are having a disagreement. The Neuro docs are upset because they don't think PT responds quickly enough to their orders. They claim it can take a day or more before an ICU patient is seen. That's probably true...(read more)

My Experience as a Family Member

Toni Patt — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:16:00 GMT

My show horse has been at the vet's for the last two weeks. He has been very sick. At one point the vet and I talked about putting him down and waiting until I could be present if something happened. Today I'm happy to report that he is doing well and...(read more)

Where Does Our Responsibility to Our Patients End?

Toni Patt — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:34:00 GMT

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)

Discharge Planning is a Responsibility

Toni Patt — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:20:00 GMT

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)

Questionable Discharge Decisions

Toni Patt — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:10:00 GMT

During rounds today we ran into a problem. There is a patient with a right CVA, left hemiparesis and impaired cognition who is insisting on returning home at discharge. While that is an ideal discharge plan for most patients, it isn't realistic for her...(read more)

Informed Consent

Toni Patt — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:12:00 GMT

While I was researching an assignment for my latest class, I ran across an article about informed consent and physical therapy. The article stated that in a patient centered environment, consent must be granted for any procedure or activity that is outside...(read more)

My Caseload is Getting Sicker

Toni Patt — Wed, 20 May 2009 19:57:00 GMT

I've noticed something about my caseload recently. The patients have become sicker and heavier. Right now I'm treating four patients. All of them require two people to mobilize. Sicker patients I understand. More people are surviving worse injuries. As...(read more)

The "Ah" Moment

Toni Patt — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:26:00 GMT

This morning I had an "ah" moment. I was working with a dense hemiparectic patient. For the first half of therapy my tech and I were struggling to get him to sit without pushing. All of a sudden it was like a light bulb went off for him. He figured out...(read more)

Patients are Getting Sicker

Toni Patt — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:53:00 GMT

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)