PT in the ED
My latest research focus has been on the role of PT in the ED. While I was organizing the clinical experiences I needed during college, I interviewed for a position in the ER at a hospital in Phoenix. I had to describe my experience in differential diagnoses and discharge planning in order to be considered for the ED rotation. I was accepted into the position, but it was later cut due to budget concerns and I was instead placed into an outpatient neuro clinical experience.
There have been two articles published recently - one in the PT Journal and the second in JOSPT - both outlining the numerous benefits of staffing an emergency department with a physical therapist. With the economy sinking (or double-dipping, depending on what you read), it is becoming more standard practice for patients to utilize emergency rooms as their primary source of health care (versus clinic visits with a primary care physician). Much of this is driven by changes in insurance coverage.
Regardless of the causes, the fact remains that emergency rooms continue to see patients seeking intervention regarding musculoskeletal and acute-pain injuries. As we know, physical therapists have great education, experience and a wealth of knowledge in these two areas. Furthermore, patients in the emergency room often present with safety concerns regarding discharge placement. Again, an area perfect for PTs.
The articles I've read (along with other findings on the Internet) basically state that hospitals who staff their EDs consistently with PTs document the following benefits:
● Increases in patient and practitioner satisfaction;
● Reduced wait times throughout the department;
● Greater ease for patients in receiving follow-up treatments;
● Lower length-of-stays for patients who are admitted into the hospital; and
● Increased patient understanding of their diagnoses as PTs were better able to provide education.
So, I'm wondering if any therapists out there have experiences working in an ED. I'm not talking about a few patients here or there, but a consistent setting within the ED. What hours did you work? (The ER clinical had hours established from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., in hand with the highest volume of patients). Were the PT services interfering with other emergency triaging?
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The Physical Therapist as a Musculoskeletal Specialist in the Emergency Department; Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, March 2009
Physical Therapy in the Emergency Department: Development of a Novel Practice Venue; Physical Therapy, March 2010.