PTA Blog Talk : Patient Care

Rehab Criteria

Jason Marketti — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:49:00 GMT

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)

Controversial Pain Therapies

Jason Marketti — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:39:00 GMT

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)

Therapy Menu

Jason Marketti — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:48:00 GMT

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)

The Legacies Project

Jason Marketti — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:28:00 GMT

When I worked in Palm Springs I held a tape recorder for a gentleman during the therapy session who was recounting his time in the war and in great detail his time in Burma. It was fascinating to hear this man's history. He was doing it so his family...(read more)

Participation in an NIH Study

Jason Marketti — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:48:00 GMT

I was recently at the National Institute of Health. My family and I are involved in a study there. Since I had not flown in an airplane since pre-9/11 it was quite an experience for me. The police and armed guards were initially intimidating and security...(read more)

Reining Me In

Jason Marketti — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:10:00 GMT

The PTA reports to the PT who is responsible for the patient. I get it. I discussed my role with a PT friend of mine recently and asked her about how much leeway she gives the assistants who work with her. She told me even though she is friendly with...(read more)

Remembered As

Jason Marketti — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:30:00 GMT

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)

Affe mit Schadel

Jason Marketti — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:42:00 GMT

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)

Gordian Knots and Such

Jason Marketti — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:16:00 GMT

Trying to get things done and developed programs in our department can be like a Chow-Lui Tree explaining the Bayesian Networks. (The geeks like me will understand this) I have attempted many times to do balance and stability programs and be consistent...(read more)

A Political

Jason Marketti — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:46:00 GMT

I try to stay out of politics, but with all the talk of health care reform I need to speak. As a father of two children who have disabilities I have incurred a large debt even though I have health insurance. The system does not work for families like...(read more)

Sisyphean Tasks

Jason Marketti — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:27:00 GMT

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)

Stronger After Stroke

Jason Marketti — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:51:00 GMT

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)

Goal Documentation

Jason Marketti — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:12:00 GMT

"You do not need to address each goal in your daily note. Focus on what you did that was skilled." This is a direct quote from our DOR to me. I really like our DOR, she is fair, concise, and a great clinician but I didn't get what this meant. So I asked,...(read more)

Nordies

Jason Marketti — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:06:00 GMT

I recently finished several books in rapid succession. One of those was about the Nordstrom stores and their delivery of customer service. A brilliant book about the culture of the store. It was hard to believe that those who work for Nordstrom's are...(read more)

Music

Jason Marketti — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:25:00 GMT

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)