Acute Care/ Teleteaching

Question 1

What is acute care?

Answer 1

An inpatient hospital for individuals with a serious medical condition. Pts. usually have a serious decline due to a traumatic event, worsening of a disease or the onset of a new condition.

Question 2

What can you expect to see in an acute care setting?

Answer 2

Trauma, stroke, CV, post-surgery, neo natal, etc.

Question 3

What is the role of a PT in an acute care setting?

Answer 3

Evalutate, treat, educate and assist with discharge planning with other departments within the acute care setting.

(EAT eggs)

Question 4

Why is therapy important in the acute care setting?

Answer 4

Therapy planys a significant role in early mobility, restoring function & preventing further decline.

Question 5

What are the PT’s responsibilities in Acute Care?

Answer 5

1) perform an evaluation after surgery, illness and/ or injury
2) fit patient for splints, footwear etc.
3) recommend appropriate medical equipment
4) recommend continued rehabilitation
5) perform chest PT, airway clearance, instruct appropriate therapy exercise
6) collaborate with the healthcare team
7) family education

(PPFFRR c)

Question 6

What are the challenges of an Acute Care setting?

Answer 6

• Limited time frame
• Don’t see the final outcome of therapy
• Unpredicatable case load
• Weekend and Holliday coverage
• Medical instabilities will cause conflicts in scheduling

Question 7

What is the difference between acute and sub-acute rehabilitation?

Answer 7

Sub-acute: therapy only twice a day. pt. goes to rehab if he or she lacks the strength for 3 therapy sessions a day.