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ICD-9 Codes
by Jason Marketti

Just because a code is billable, doesn't make it the best possible code for a therapy diagnosis. I have certificates in billing and coding and constantly come across codes, such as 719.7, which is difficulty in walking. This can be the "catch-all" code Read More...

1 comments »     

A Moment to Shine
by Jason Marketti

Sometimes I'll be the one to initially assess a patient who requires increased intervention by nursing. In a SNF, patients can fluctuate in ability, cognition and activity level, which is often first seen by the therapy department. Typically one of us Read More...

0 comments »     

Email Me
by Jason Marketti

This year I want to hear from fellow PTAs. I want to know your thoughts on healthcare changes, working relationships with PTs, and your ideas about increasing the PTA education to a bachelor's level as well as your feelings towards the APTA and the PTA Read More...

8 comments »     

CEUs for PTAs
by Jason Marketti

In the mail, I received several brochures advertising how to evaluate and treat multiple body parts. All therapy disciplines were invited to attend. Being a PTA, I don't evaluate people so I wonder if I could get a discount because the evaluation aspect Read More...

1 comments »     

Security
by Jason Marketti

The first time I heard a nurse call for security, I quickly ran to the room and assisted to keep a patient settled down. At first, I thought the patient quieted down because I was there but as I turned there was a large burly gentleman who took up the Read More...

3 comments »     

One Computer
by Jason Marketti

A facility I worked at had one computer. It was used for clocking in and out, as well as to organize a schedule for us. At the time, we weren't using it for documentation but we had to input minutes under the CPT codes. It was also used for new therapists Read More...

1 comments »     

Who Directs Patient Care?
by Jason Marketti

A while ago, a patient came into the facility and we were given two weeks to make the patient stronger and safer to go home. The two weeks was what the patient's insurance company authorized. Research shows that a person will need to increase caloric Read More...

0 comments »     

A Safe Environment
by Jason Marketti

A therapist's gym is a multipurpose room not only for the staff but also patients. For the staff, it's used for in-services, luncheons and meetings. For the patients we see, the gym is used for exercises to get stronger, a place to encourage and become Read More...

1 comments »     

My Inquisition
by Jason Marketti

Like a lot of therapists, I have a full-time position and several per diem jobs that I go to if my caseload is low or when I need extra cash to purchase a large item. Recently I applied to a company that was paying five dollars more than what I'd normally Read More...

1 comments »     

'Because I Said So'
by Jason Marketti

A PTA came up to me and asked why a patient was on caseload. The patient recently had a THA, was independent with transfers, able to follow an HEP independently and walking more than 150 feet with an SPC. Vital signs were within normal limits with activity Read More...

3 comments »     

No More SOAP Notes
by Jason Marketti

With the advent of electronic health records (EHR) and the ever-changing resources we learn through computer documentation, there doesn't seem to be a need for the SOAP-note format. In fact, if SOAP notes are still taught in therapy school it may be a Read More...

0 comments »     

Greater Than 720 Minutes
by Jason Marketti

I like my new patient. He is very motivated, therapy-driven and has an extreme desire to get stronger as quickly as possible. He will not ask any therapy discipline to wait or check back for him later. He will stop what he's doing and go wherever he's Read More...

1 comments »     

Therapy Jokester
by Jason Marketti

Humor has been a large part of who I am and what I do. I use my standard joke name, "Frank N. Stein," around this time of year and have the per-diem therapists try and treat him. After looking around the facility for him, they usually realize it's a joke Read More...

0 comments »     

PTAs and the Future
by Jason Marketti

I'm sure there are some people who'd like to see the PTA profession disappear and have every patient treated only by a PT. And for those who feel like that, let's discuss what we should do with the PTAs. But first the United States needs to open its borders Read More...

4 comments »     

Total PT Immersion
by Jason Marketti

As PTs and PTAs, we went through enough testing in school and yet we had to pass one more test to get that magical piece of paper from the licensing board. The problem is that to get that license to practice, we did not have to show any skills to the Read More...

1 comments »