Reining Me In - Part 2
When I was doing wound care I put together most of the protocols that we would use in the department as well as stocked the equipment that was necessary to treat almost any kind of wound. I met with the appropriate nursing staff so we would all be on the same page in the treatment of wounds. I took several courses in wound care education and then it happened.
I was excited one day that a patient had a wound we could treat, and I suggested to the MD that he should let us. When the PT found out that I was the one who spoke with the MD, it was not a good day for me.
I was told plainly to allow the PTs to make the suggestions in the future and my role was not in treatment implementation but to carry out the treatment that was designed by the PT.
But, but, but...I am the one who put all the work in the wound care program and I can't even help try to implement it? "NO!" was very clearly told to me.
I now understand why the PT pulled me aside and let me know who has the responsibility for the patient and why they wanted to be the one to determine whether the patient is appropriate for therapy or not. At the time I did not. But even today I tend to open my mouth a little wider than I should, and when that happens I fully expect the PT to be there to let me know who is in charge.
A PT once described to me in terms I could understand about correcting and guiding the PT/PTA relationship. The PT described it as a parent/child relationship. The parent will need to guide and direct the child until there is enough confidence to allow the child to go further and further from home, but both should know when they have gone too far with freedom given and freedom taken.
So my question is how much freedom is given to the PTAs in your facility?