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Discriminatory Care: Part One
by Jason Marketti

Being my cheerful self, I walked into the patient's room, introduced myself and immediately felt the frozen gazes of several family members. The one family member who could speak a little English told me it wasn't a good time to see his grandmother. I Read More...

4 comments »     

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 »     

My Shoes
by Jason Marketti

I've tried wearing different brands and styles of shoes in the clinic that will protect my feet and stand up to the demands I place on them. Every single pair have split at the ball of the foot due to those demands. I hesitate to wear sport-type shoes Read More...

3 comments »     

Fun in Therapy
by Jason Marketti

Therapy can be monotonous at times, especially if I'm seeing too many total joint replacements. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but going through the same routine every day can be a bit boring. I will try and break up the session of therapy and Read More...

0 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 »     

New Skills
by Jason Marketti

As we approach a new year, a Festivus miracle occurred ("Seinfeld" enthusiasts will understand this). I had an epiphany about how to be a better therapist in 2013. At first, it made about as much sense as a Chris Elliott book but as I began to unravel Read More...

0 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 »