This document provides an overview of physical therapy in acute care settings. It notes that acute care involves short-term patient care for those admitted to the hospital for illnesses, surgeries, accidents, or trauma recovery. The goal is medical stability and discharge to a safe location. Patients are most commonly elderly individuals recovering from joint replacements or with cardiac/stroke issues. Physical therapists focus on mobility, safety, and independence through treatments like gait training and assistive device education.
2. Introduction
Physical therapy in this setting is provided to
individuals who are admitted to a hospital for
short-term patient care.
Examples: illness, surgery, accident, or recovery
from a trauma
The goal is to discharge the patient as soon as he
or she is medically stable and has a safe place to
go.
Only 8.6% of practicing PTAs are in the acute care
setting
4. Types of Patients
The types of patients can range from
infants to the elderly with all types of
diagnoses.
Mean percent of time spent with patients in
each age group
Elderly – 51.8%
Adults – 38.6%
Children – 2.2%
Toddlers – 1.4%
Infants – 1.9%
5.
6. Diagnoses and Treatments
Patients who have undergone joint replacement
surgery is the most frequently seen patient group.
Cardiac disorders and stroke victims are other high
frequency patient group.
Mean percent of patient conditions
Joint replacement – 13.6%
Cardiac disorders – 7.7%
Stroke – 7.4%
Re-training the patient to walk, assessing the patient
for the need for assistive devices such as walkers or
crutches, teaching joint protection, addressing
balance issues and safety awareness with transfers
are a few areas addressed in this setting.
7.
8. Special Skills
PTAs have the opportunity to become recognized for
advanced proficiency though APTA.
This program is voluntary and PTAs are not required to be
recognized in order to work in a specific area.
There are some areas that would be beneficial to the acute
care setting.
Example: Cardiovascular and Pulmonary, Neuromuscular,
Integumentary, Geriatrics, and Musculoskeletal
Recognition via APTA Acute Care Section awards
Lecture Award
Mary Sinnott Award for Clinical Excellence in Acute Care
James Dunleavy Distinguished Service Award
Fellowship Award Resource Guides, including Lab Values
Interpretation Resources