Toni Talks about PT Today : Sports and Physical Fitness

‘I Can't Help, My Back Hurts'

Toni Patt — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 15:03:00 GMT

This morning there was a patient on the floor so the request went out for lifting help. Four people responded, including me, a PTA, a male CNA and the patient's nurse. The patient was a big man, weak and in a narrow space so it wasn't going to be easy....(read more)

What Do I Include in CEUs?

Toni Patt — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:22:00 GMT

Recently I took on another challenge, writing a CEU module. When I agreed to do it, I thought no problem. This is what I teach. I already have an outline and references. I can just fill in the words. After I started writing, I realized something. When...(read more)

Working from Home

Toni Patt — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:28:00 GMT

My current job comes with a perk I've never experienced before -- working from home. No, the patients don't come to me. Our documentation is Internet-based so I have the luxury of being able to write notes from home. Some people might say that is a curse,...(read more)

The Red Fish

Toni Patt — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:42:00 GMT

A few weeks ago, I wrote about using the Nintendo Wii and wondering how much help I should give my patients. Since that time, I've settled into helping them to either prevent frustration or teach a new motor program. That creates higher scores while enabling...(read more)

How Much Help Is Too Much?

Toni Patt — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT

I've been using the Nintendo Wii with more of my patients. This has created a dilemma for me. I don't know how much help to give my patients. At first I didn't help them at all but that wasn't successful. Since then I have alternated between verbal cues...(read more)

The Wonder of Wii

Toni Patt — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:39:00 GMT

A new piece of equipment has found its way into our department, a Nintendo Wii. Up until last weekend I'd never even seen one, much less played with one. The literature is full of articles describing how to use the Wii therapeutically, particularly with...(read more)

My New Pet Peeve

Toni Patt — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:20:00 GMT

We all have things that annoy us. I have a new one at work, the assisted ergometer. It can be used for the UEs or LEs and programmed to provide either resistance or assistance to whoever is working the pedals. To me it is a glorified restorator. What...(read more)

Don't Count These Patients Out

Toni Patt — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:57:00 GMT

It's been a while since I've had more than a few geriatric patients on my caseload. Now that my caseload is all geriatric, I've had to readjust. It's a good thing I didn't forget the first rule of geriatric care. Elderly patients are people, too. They...(read more)

Plus-Size Therapy

Toni Patt — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:02:00 GMT

Last weekend, the Houston newspaper ran a story about how local health care providers are struggling to cope with heavier patients. It praised them for investing in plus-size furniture, heavy-duty stretchers and toilets that can support extra weight....(read more)

My Morning Coffee Group

Toni Patt — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:35:00 GMT

I like to start work early; the earlier the better. Usually this means I start my day alone. I grab the first patient I find out of bed and get started. Not anymore. A few days ago, I was having trouble convincing a patient to come to therapy. In frustration,...(read more)

Very Acute Therapy

Toni Patt — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:40:00 GMT

This week I found myself at an outpatient orthopedic clinic treating work-related injuries. The clinic was one of several in the area. They have agreements with many local industries to provide medical and therapy services to injured employees. The injured...(read more)

Brain or Brawn

Toni Patt — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:35:00 GMT

Last week, I found myself following in the footsteps of a therapist who truly believed in hands-on therapy. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't replicate his treatments. His patients were walking with only therapist-assist. I could barely get them...(read more)

Four an Hour is Three Too Many

Toni Patt — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:13:00 GMT

Last Friday a former student of mine called. She is doing an outpatient affiliation now and is stressing out. She is having trouble keeping up. She has four patients every hour and is staying late to complete her notes. I told her not to worry. She knows...(read more)

Working on Rehab Again

Toni Patt — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:56:00 GMT

It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to treat patients on our rehab unit. Usually I do evaluations. Someone else does the treatments. Today I actually did some rehab treatments. Not evaluations but 60 minutes of treatment in which I could...(read more)

Don't Touch That Patient

Toni Patt — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:31:00 GMT

I had an unusual conversation with a nurse last week. I was in the neuro ICU preparing to evaluate a patient. I always check with a patient's nurse prior to doing so to make sure the patient is medically stable. Normally the nurses are very helpful and...(read more)