Intro to Management of Patients in the Acute Care Setting Flashcards
how is acute care defined?
pts are not stable enough to receive care at an outpatient clinic
what is acute care?
a level health care in which a pt is treated for a brief but severe episode of illness
what is typically the entry point of care for acute care?
the ED or by another physician for a planned procedure or treatment
what is hemodynamic stability?
a medical term that describes a person’s stable blood flow, BP, and HR
t/f: anything that leads to inadequate blood flow to vital organs leads to hemodynamic instability
true
what causes homeostatic imbalance?
imbalance of ions, water, or electrolytes
what are the most common diagnoses for inpatient stay?
livebirth, septicemia, HF, pneumonia, OA, DM complications, acute MI, dysrythmias, COPD excerbation
what is septicemia?
a bacterial infection of the blood
very serious life threatening response to infection
pts get very sick very quickly
total organ failure
what is observational status?
well defined set of specific clinically appropriate services, which include ongoing short-term Rx, assessment, and reassessment b4 a decision can be made regarding whether pts will require further Rx as hospital pts or if they’re able to be discharged from the hospital
how long is observation status typically?
<24 hours
how long can some rare and exceptional cases be in observation status?
> 48 hours
what is the purpose of observation status?
to monitor a pt to determine if they need to be admitted
what is the Affordable Care Act’s Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program?
CMS began reducing Medicare payments to inpatient hospitals deemed to have excessive pt readmissions w/in 30 days of d/c
if pts are classified as outpatients under observation status, their return to the hospital within 30 days isn’t considered readmission
t/f: Medicare is incentivized to to overturn hospital decisions to admit individuals as inpatients, which is more costly to the healthcare system than outpatient admission
true
Medicare considers observation what kind of service and is covered under what part of Medicare
outpatient covered under Medicare part B
t/f: Medicare part B services have both deductibles and cost-sharing for beneficiaries which means that the cost to the patient of an observation stay is more variable than a traditional inpatient
true
does time spent in observation status count towards the 3 day inpatient stay requirement for Medicare SNF coverage
nope
will Medicare pay for medically necessary post-acute care in a SNF without a 3 day inpatient stay?
nope
what is unique about the acute care setting?
there is medical team trained and experienced in identifying and treating instabilities at REST
the therapist needs to be skilled in identifying physiological responses both AT REST and WITH MOVT
t/f: stability can quickly change with movt
true
what is involved in sound clinical decision making?
be observant
integrate info
predict the pt’s expected level of improvement to determine goals, d/c needs, and rehab prognosis
be aware of your limitations and ask for help when needed
create a comprehensive PT care plan that’s individualized and focused on the pt and caregiver’s goals and circumstances
choose optimal dose-specific interventions
t/f: we should do as much the pt can do and push to fatigue as long as they’re stable
true
we should adjust intervention choices and dosage based on what?
the pt’s response and d/c needs
what are some important skills for entry level PTs in acute care?
you need to know what you know and don’t know
you need to look at the big picture but be able to break down problems into component parts to manage pt’s care
what is the purpose of documentation in acute care?
to ensure quality pt care, facilitate communication among healthcare providers, and meet legal and reimbursement requirements
what is the importance of documentation in acute care?
proper documentation supports continuity of care, justifies medical necessity, and aids in risk management
t/f: adherence to specific documentation guidelines is set by Medicare and private insurers
true
what fxnal outcome/progress measure is often used in acute care?
6 Clicks
how soon should documentation be done in acute care?
right away!!!
what are the requirements in documentation for Medicare and insurance?
date and duration of treatment
specific interventions and their medical necessity
fxnal outcomes and progress measures
timely submission
use of approved terminology and coding
regular reviews and updates of the POC
what is involved in justification for medical necessity?
clear articulation of why PT services are required
documentation of fxnal limitations and their impacts on daily activities, potential for fxnal improvement through PT interventions, and skilled nature of the provided services
establishment of measurable fxn based goals
regular reassessment and documentation of progress toward goals
explanation of any changes in the treatment plan or lack of progress
what needs to be documented for justification of medical necessity?
fxnal limitations and their impacts on daily activities
potential for fxnal improvement through PT interventions
skilled nature of the provided services
what are the best practices for acute care PT documentation?
be concise yet comprehensive
use objective, measurable terms
avoid repetitive or irrelevant info
document in real-time or as soon as possible after treatment
ensure legibility and proper use of abbreviations
regularly review and update documentation practices
participate in ongoing education about documentation requirements
communication in acute care involves communication bw who?
bw healthcare workers and the pt/family/caregiver
what is the #1 reason for mistakes made in acute care?
poor communication
what is involved in communication in acute care?
verbal and nonverbals
listening skills
team communication
documentation
reporting
t/f: professional demeanor and interpersonal communication precedes clinical skills?
true
what phrase at the end of statements should we avoid?
“okay?”
what is SBAR?
Situation
Background
Assessment
Recommendations
what is included in the situation part of SBAR?
what’s the situation you’re calling about
ID self, unit, patient, room #
briefly state the problem, what it is, when it happened or how it started, and how severe
what is included in the background part of SBAR?
pt background info related to the situation could include:
admitting dx and date of admission
most recent VSs
screen/exam results (provide date and time the test was done and results of previous tests for comparison)
other clinical info (response to intervention)
code status
what is included in the assessment part of SBAR?
what is your assessment of the situation
what you found and think is going on
what is included in the recommendation part of SBAR?
what is your recommendation or what does the pt want
ie. hold off on treatment, clarify orders, or request consult
what is a unique challenge when working with sick patients?
it is unlikely they will take in much info you tell them
t/f: effective communication leads to better pt outcomes and satisfaction
true
what are some key communication strategies?
active listening
clear and simple language
empathy and compassion
how can we actively listen?
pay full attention to pts
use nonverbal cues to show engagement
how do we use clear and simple language?
avoid medical jargon
use analogies to explain complex concepts
how do we show empathy and compassion?
acknowledge pts’s pain and concerns
use a calm and reassuring tone
how do you adapt communication for patient needs?
assess pt’s cognitive status and adjust accordingly
consider cultural and linguistic differences
use visual aids or written instructions when appropriate
involve the family members or caregivers when necessary
utilize teach-back method to ensure understanding
prioritize clear, empathetic communication
adapt strategies to individual pt needs
what are common barriers to communication?
pain and discomfort
medication effects
anxiety or fear
language differences
what are some strategies for overcoming communication barriers?
use pain scales and body language interpretation
schedule therapy sessions around medication timing
practice patience and offer reassurance
utilize interpreter services when needed
what is involved in discharge planning?
determine destination, level of support, need for continuity of care in post-acute setting, and critically assess pt safety (cognition and fxn)
determine optimal equipment needs
synthesize the pt’s life context
assess the expectations and desires of stakeholders
understand regulations imposed by the healthcare systems and payers
what are the different destination settings for discharge?
rehab, outpatient, home, sub-acute, or other additional services and follow up needs
what factors are involved in determining optimal equipment needs for discharge?
reasonable and necessary available funding
individual circumstances
what is included in the synthesis of the pt’s life context in discharge planning?
their pre-hospitalization status
age
suitability of home environment
caregiver support
follow-up/transportation needs
risk factors for re-hospitalization
economic resources
who is involved in the assessment of the expectations and desires of the stakeholder for discharge planning?
the pt, family, caregiver, medical services, and surgical services
if the patient will not achieve pre-hospital or acceptable level of function prior to discharge, is medically complex, and requires extended stay specialty hospital, where will they be discharged to?
LTACH
if the patient will not achieve pre-hospital or acceptable level of function prior to discharge, is not medically complex or requiring extended stay specialty hospital, and could get significantly better in inpatient rehab/can tolerate 3 hours of therapy (OT/PT/SLP) per day/has a significant advantage with regards to medical safety, timeframe, or ultimate level of goal achieved, where will they be discharged to?
IRF
if the patient will not achieve pre-hospital or acceptable level of function prior to discharge, is not medically complex or requiring extended stay specialty hospital, and could get significantly better in inpatient rehab/can tolerate 3 hours of therapy (OT/PT/SLP) per day/has a significant advantage with regards to medical safety, timeframe, or ultimate level of goal achieved, and has no skilled nursing or medical needs only/could not reach rehab goals in a less resource intensive environment, where will they be discharged to?
IRF
if the patient will not achieved pre-hospital or acceptable level of function prior to discharge, is not medically complex or requiring extended stay specialty hospital, and could get significantly better in inpatient rehab/can tolerate 3 hours of therapy (OT/PT/SLP) per day/has a significant advantage with regards to medical safety, timeframe, or ultimate level of goal achieved, and has skilled nursing or medical needs only/could reach rehab goals in a less resource intensive environment, where will they be discharged to?
SNF
can a pt progress from LTACH to home?
yes
can a pt progress from SNF to IRF?
yes
if the patient will be able to achieve pre-hospital or acceptable level of function prior to discharge, where will they be discharged to?
home
what services may be involved in home health?
PT/OT
day hospital
community re-entry
outpatient rehab services
will your patient get rehab coverage if you document them as supervision or contact guard?
not likely
if you feel the need to stand close by your patient, what level of assistance should they be documented as?
min A
if you document that your pt walked >100 feet, will they get rehab coverage?
likely not
if your pt walks a total of 120 feet but needs rest breaks, how should you document it so they can get rehab coverage?
document the time walking in chunks breaking it up when they needed rest breaks
if a pt is not medically complex for admission to acute rehab, where may they be appropriate to d/c to?
IRF
if a pt didn’t use an AD b4 admission, but now does, what should you document?
their baseline fxn prior to admission
if someone may otherwise be a good candidate for IRF but cannot handle 3 hours of therapy per day, where may they d/c to?
SNF
t/f: we should not refer to SNF as a nursing home
true
t/f: SNF is a temporary place to get better and go home once you are more independent and safe to go home
true
how do we decide on interventions for acute care pts?
breakdown activities and fix what you can while assessing mobility
think about what you can do to make them qualify for rehab
ID what is preventing them from accomplishing the task independently
why is it important to get to know the typical d/c and recovery length post-op for certain surgeries?
bc we have to assess their rehab potential on day one and they will not look their best day one post-op so it may skew our interpretation of their rehab potential
what items are included in a safety checklist?
check for behavioral issues
check VS from the nurse
nonslip socks and gait belt
bring in all equipment w/you
hand washing and gloves as needed
inform the nurse when you’re done
move barriers
lock chair
safe positioning
turn bed alarm back on
make sure call bell is on and w/in reach
check for correct use of equipment
ADs
before entering the pt’s room, what things should we do to ensure safety?
SBAR with nursing or other medical staff as needed
coordinate w/the team on timing of treatment, consider meds, equipment, and personnel availability to optimize effectiveness
make sure PT is indicated and there is an appropriate referral
review medical hx
if a pt doesn’t have an appropriate referral for PT, what should we do?
ask nursing, case manager, or physician why there’s no referral
what is involved in the medical review b4 entering a pt’s room?
note if PT is indicated based off the prior and/or current medical and surgical hx
note meds that may impact mental status, wakefulness, and ability to follow commands
note meds that may impact HR and BP responses
determine the prior LOF and activity tolerance (use AHA HF classification scale, Borg RPE, MRC breathlessness scale, etc)
during the exam/interventions, what things should we do to ensure safety?
observe, evaluate, and modify the environment
protect lines and tubes
observe, evaluate, and modify your approach and rxns to the pt
monitor hemodynamic status
monitor the physiological response of other systems
t/f: we should always step away and come back to pts who are not cooperating
false, sometimes the pt needs a good push to get up and moving, but other times you need to step ways for the day or a few minutes then come back
what is involved in observing, evaluating, and modifying the environment?
the space to treat (remember you are entering someone else’s space)
lines, tubes, and monitors
how do we protect lines and tubes?
keep lines and tubes in front of you and the pt where you can see them
keep Foley catheter and chest tubes below waist level
must be able to manage lines and guard the pt appropriately
always be able to look at your pt’s face
what is involved in observing, evaluating, and modifying your approach and rxns to the pt?
physical appearance
mood, affect, emotions, level of cooperation
consider the impact of illness or medical procedures, and meds on pt’s mobility, weakness, incision, trauma, pain, and equipment needs
why is observing mood, affect, emotions, and level of cooperation important in safety?
it determines how they feel about mobilization, any concerns they have, and their readiness
what do we monitor to know the pt’s hemodynamic status?
monitor VSs of the pt and symptoms throughout
if the pt is not awake and alert, follows simple commands, and has stable mental status, is the pt appropriate for therapy?
probably not
if the pt is awake and alert, follows simple commands, and has stable mental status, but is not cardiovascularly stable, is the pt appropriate for therapy?
maybe not
if the pt is awake and alert, follows simple commands, and has stable mental status, is cardiovascularly stable, but is not stable in pulmonary values, is the pt appropriate for therapy?
maybe not
if the pt is awake and alert, follows simple commands, and has stable mental status, is cardiovascularly stable, is stable in pulmonary values, but doesn’t have safe lab values, is the pt appropriate for therapy?
maybe not
if the pt is awake and alert, follows simple commands, and has stable mental status, is cardiovascularly stable, is stable in pulmonary values, and has safe lab values, is the pt appropriate for therapy?
probably
what is acceptable HR range?
> 50, <150 bpm
what is stable heart rhythm?
AFib under 100 bpm
acceptable PVCs
no recent VT
what is acceptable BP range?
resting MAP >65, <120 mmHg
SBP >80, <200 mmHg
what makes a pt cardiovascularly stable?
acceptable HR and rhythm
acceptable BP
absence of chest pain or pressure
absence of recent DVT/PE
surgical precautions being followed
what makes a pt pulmonarily stable?
resting pulse ox >88%
RR<35 breaths/min
acceptable breathing pattern
no observable respiratory distress
no SOB at rest
acceptable O2 delivery
appropriate mechanical ventilation
appropriate ABGs
what is appropriate O2 levels?
> 88%
what is acceptable RR?
<35 breaths/min
what is appropriate hemoglobin levels?
> 7g/dL w/o CV disease and no signs of bleeding
> 8-10 if known CV disease
what is appropriate hematocrit levels?
> 25%
what is appropriate platelet count?
> 20,000 cells/mm^2
what should we consider when WBC counts are <5,000 cells/mm^2?
limit pt exposure to possible infection risks
what should we consider when WBC counts are >10,000 cells/mm^2?
consider active infection (febrile vs afebrile)
what are acceptable potassium levels?
3.5-5.3 mEg/dL
what are acceptable sodium levels?
135-148 mEg/dL
what are acceptable calcium levels?
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
what are acceptable magnesium levels?
1.8-2.7 mg/dL
what are acceptable glucose levels?
> 60 mg/dL, <300 mg/dL
what lab values should be obtained for cardiac conditions?
troponins, CPK, and BNP
what lab values should be obtained for renal disease?
creatinine
what lab values should be obtained for hepatic disease?
LFT
what lab values should be obtained to determine if nutrition status is acceptable?
albumin and pre-albumin
what orthopedic conditions should be considered for making a decision on the appropriateness of PT in acute care?
WB restrictions
stable spine
what integumentary considerations should be taken into account when making a decision on the appropriateness of PT in acute care?
skin grafts-see if ROM and WB restrictions are restricting mobility
vacuum drainage system
what are the red flags in pt responses to treatment?
CV-SBP/MAP falls, new onset VT
pulmonary-desaturation <85%
subjective responses-chest pain
^^^ may indicate life threatening change
what are the yellow flags in pt responses to treatment?
CV-excessive HR or BP increase
pulmonary->5% decrease in SpO2, excessive DOE/fatigue
MSK change
what are green flags in pt responses to treatment?
all appropriate responses
if we see red flags in pt responses to treatment, what may we do?
discontinue PT immediately–> return to resting position–> monitor pt closely until they stabilize–>consider need for assistance
discuss with the medical and nursing team
if we see yellow flags in pt responses to treatment, what may we do?
decrease the intensity of the PT session
if condition stabilizes, continue with PT
if condition worsens, discontinue PT, return to resting position, monitor closely until pt stabilizes, consider need for assistance
if we see green flags in pt responses to treatment, what do we do?
continue with PT and consider increasing the intensity, duration, and frequency of treatment
what is included in a complete blood count (CBC)?
WBCs
platelets
RBCs
hemoglobin
hematocrit
what does a complete blood count tell us?
concentration of WBCs, RBCs, platelets as well as the concentration of hemoglobin and hematocrit w/in a blood sample
info regarding an individual’s overall health
differential dx for a variety of diseases and conditions
why do we want WBC counts?
to ID presence of infection and conditions that cause inflammation, allergic rxns, and cancers of the blood and lymphatic system
t/f: flutuations in WBC occur at any age
true
fluctuations in WBCs are most common in what population?
infants