Toni Talks about PT Today : Workplace Issues

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)

The Pretty, Young Therapist

Toni Patt — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:10:00 GMT

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)

Preferred Patient Types

Toni Patt — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:19:00 GMT

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)

October is PT Month

Toni Patt — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Tomorrow morning my department is going to have a breakfast for all the PTs to celebrate PT month. The food will be provided by the OTs, STs and supervisors. Sometime next week the rehab unit is supposed to do something similar. I'll be surprised if that...(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 Impairment Doesn’t Equal Impaired Cognition

Toni Patt — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:48:00 GMT

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)

Deciding When to Move On

Toni Patt — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:59:00 GMT

How do you know when it's time to start looking for another job, or in my case, another assignment? For the last two weeks I've been asking myself that question. I've experienced some things over the last few weeks that have made me start to wonder if...(read more)

Workaholic or Hard Worker?

Toni Patt — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:40:00 GMT

Anyone in the profession of physical therapy knows there are several areas of contention surrounding the move to the DPT. Some I think are valid points. Others, I don't see the problem. One irks me to no end. I don't understand why a new grad DPT is able...(read more)

How to Handle Incorrect Information

Toni Patt — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:23:00 GMT

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)

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)

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)

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)

This Was a Learning Experience

Toni Patt — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:22:00 GMT

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)

Do We Really Want Direct Access?

Toni Patt — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:21:00 GMT

Last month at the SED (southeast district) of the TPTA meeting, the topic of discussion was the status of direct access in Texas. Both speakers encouraged the membership to get involved by contacting state representatives in support of the measure. They...(read more)