BROWSE BY TAGS

• Ethics & Legal Issues
• PTAs
• Workplace Issues

Rehab Criteria
by Jason Marketti

Recently I was told if there is no denial of claims and patients are making progress, the physical therapy department is a success. This got me to thinking about success in a rehab department. What exactly is the criterion for success in rehab? Good communication Read More...

45 views     0 comments »     

Controversial Pain Therapies
by Jason Marketti

The debate continues for America on whether to legalize this. Pros and cons have been heard on both sides and still it is unsolved for the majority of us. Let's take a look at other "controversial" pain therapies. Craniosacral Therapy (CST). Some have Read More...

153 views     2 comments »     

Therapy Menu
by Jason Marketti

Like buying fine foods by number we should offer a therapy menu for those who are undecided what will take care of their aches and pains. It would look something like this: JASON'S THERAPY #1 Massage...........................$XX.00 (For first 15 minutes. Read More...

272 views     5 comments »     

Remembered As
by Jason Marketti

What is it that we want to be known for? Torturers? Educators? Innovators? Advocators? All of the above? Or none at all? If we see a patient once, and once only, what is it that we want them to take away from the visit? Some of it will depend on diagnosis, Read More...

157 views     0 comments »     

Affe mit Schadel
by Jason Marketti

Sometimes I feel like Rheinhold's monkey when it comes to figuring out problems or what to do next with patients. I will have all the tools necessary (books, measuring devices, adaptive equipment, etc.), but will be unable to figure out what I'm supposed Read More...

187 views     0 comments »     

Sisyphean Tasks
by Jason Marketti

Sometimes I feel like my work is to no avail. The endless stream of "revolving door" patients and constant repetition of instructions can drive me insane. I get frustrated when I give a patient HEPs and theraband with detailed instructions on its use Read More...

242 views     1 comments »     

Stronger After Stroke
by Jason Marketti

Peter Levine wrote a great book. I am not saying this because he e-mailed me back and gave me a great website to browse nor would I say this only because he is a PTA who does research about stroke rehab. I am saying he wrote a book families and clinicians Read More...

319 views     1 comments »     

Music
by Jason Marketti

Recently I bought a radio with a CD player for our therapy gym. We did not have one for about a year and I thought it was time to fill in the silence during the exercises. I keep the radio volume low like that guy from Office Space that keeps looking Read More...

143 views     0 comments »     

A Problem
by Jason Marketti

But first an update: A while back I spoke about my CPR Instructor course and no one wanting to pay for it through CEU money and me hoping that our administrator would pay. Well, no one paid for it. Now for the difficult part. I work with a PT who is constantly Read More...

172 views     0 comments »     

Is There an 'S' on my Chest?
by Jason Marketti

I see patients that often require two people to assist with transfers or the nursing staff uses mechanical devices to get these people up in a chair. The problem is that I don't always have a second person to assist me when I get someone up in a chair Read More...

382 views     2 comments »     

When the PTA Knows More
by Jason Marketti

I have worked with new grad PTs and those with many years of experience, and there will always be times when I know more than a PT, just as they will, at times, know more than me in relation to patient care and progression. Over the years I have learned Read More...

303 views     2 comments »     

Progression
by Jason Marketti

Therapy treatments should show progression, and insurance companies will approve treatments as long as the patient will progress. This is probably why few PTs are in hospice care. But what about PD and dementia-related diseases that are slowly progressive Read More...

178 views     0 comments »     

Being Physical
by Jason Marketti

I see some "heavy" patients. By heavy I mean they are difficult to position and transfer; some require two people to transfer from the mat to the wheelchair and back. The aide and myself have a pretty good routine when doing this and we ensure we are Read More...

200 views     2 comments »     

PT Techs
by Jason Marketti

Therapy aides and technicians are valuable members of the therapy team. However, I have seen them overused in their role and some therapists rely on an aide so much they are unable to carry out a treatment if the aide is not present. One PT I spoke with Read More...

812 views     11 comments »     

PT/PTA Relationships
by Jason Marketti

The PT asked me one day if there was anyone I thought was appropriate for the restorative nursing assistants (RNAs) to work on. Well, if a PT asks for my input I am not shy about giving it. I listed about five patients and the reasons why the RNAs should Read More...

331 views     5 comments »