Last year I wrote a ''Thankful Blog'' including a list of things I was thankful for over the course of the year.  Likewise, I have many things to be thankful about this year.  They include: Great patients, coworkers and managers -In just 5 short months of working, I've learned a great deal from the people I interact with at work. ...

Check out the new robotic arm OTs and PTs in Ohio are using to help stroke patients regain strength and function in their upper extremities. There’s a picture with the story. http://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20091125/NEWS01/911250316 The robot is called ReoTherapy, and it’s programmed to do five types of movement with the patient, ...

Second week with the NHS and things are moving along nicely. I've spent time with each of the relevant community health care groups. My own, the 24/7 team, is analogous to a medical ward in a hospital. Services are provided around the clock to patients who could very easily wind up in a hospital if not monitored and treated. Some patients get up ...

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 between disciplines should be part of that success and, of course, ...

Over the last few weeks my department has been undergoing some changes. After reviewing our numbers over the last few months, our manager realized we haven't been complaint with the three-hour rule. For those who don't work in a rehab setting, the three-hour rule means patients must receive three hours of therapy five times a week for a facility ...

            One of the primary factors that control salaries of long term care therapists is the reimbursement fee schedule that is established by Medicare. Basically, dollar amounts are set for various levels of care, and each higher category means a higher reimbursement rate. Therapy minutes ...

As most of our readers know by now, our monthly magazine ADVANCE for Directors in Rehabilitation has ceased publication, and has been merged with the newly rebranded ADVANCE for Physical Therapy & Rehab Medicine. The new magazine, still distributed on a bi-weekly basis, will maintain all the popular features you've come to know and trust, ...

This week I learned that solitude and silence can be very relaxing. Two tests, three papers due within the next one to two weeks, taking my NATABOC, meetings, work, massage-a-thon, family issues, my purse being lost/stolen along with keys, vital medications, paychecks that were to be cashed that day, etc., irritation with peers' lack of ...

Last weekend I finally got the chance to attend an NDT course.   Even though some of the material was basic, it pulled things together for me.  For the first time I feel like I might have a chance at passing the NCS exam in a year or two. Listening to the lectures made me realize how much of what we do goes back to NDT.  I'd ...

What a week it has been! I started working with my new employer, the National Health Service of Great Britain on Monday. On day one it was a pleasant enough general ''Hello there'' meet-and-greet sort of thing. The staff was fascinated to meet a physio from the U.S.A. They all were inquiring about our health system with things like, ''Is it true ...