Hi, I would like to know what PT's are doing about patient management in the acute ICU setting.  I have been at previous hospitals where we only treated pt's who were alert and at least minimally paticipatory...or if there were acute contractures/positioning needs.  However, in my current place of employment staff is used to and expect PT's to perform PROM for patients who are intubated/sedated/non-paticipatory even in the abscence of contracture.  My previous education has instilled me with the belief that this is unethical as there are no real rehab goals to direct treatment towards.  The best I could come up with would be something like, "Maintain ROM /  Prevent contracture / Prevent skin breakdown"  all of which have been previously drilled into my head as non-ethical and non-treatable goals.  Any and all opinions would be appreciated, Thanks!

We also see pts who are sedated on the vent.  If possible we asking nursing to turn down the sedation, if they are on a sedative with a short half life, such as dipravan, so they can wake up a little and participate if they can.  We were told it was justifible to maintain current ROM and to prevent joint contracture.