Week 8 Flashcards
What are the different ways in which a patient can enter the acute care setting?
- Emergency care
- Urgent care
- Short-term stabilization
- Pre-hospital care
- Critical care
- Trauma care and acute care surgery
What is acute care?
• “include all promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative or palliative actions, whether oriented
towards individuals or populations, whose primary
purpose is to improve health and whose effectiveness largely depends on time-sensitive and, frequently, rapid intervention.”
• “includes the health system components, or care delivery platforms, used to treat sudden, often unexpected, urgent or emergent episodes of injury and
illness that can lead to death or disability without rapid intervention.”
What are the units found in acute care?
- General medical
- Specialty inpatient services
- Surgical: may be general surgery or individual units determined by type of surgery (ortho, cardiopulmonary, general)
- Combined “med/surg”
- Obstetrics/gynecology (ob/gyn)
- Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU)
- Pre-operative unit
- Emergency department (ED): usually the point of entry to the system by most patients
What are the characteristics of general care, acute care?
Highest patient to nurse ratio
What are the characteristics of intensive care, acute care?
- May be general ICU or divided into specialties (i.e., trauma, cardio, neuro, pediatric, neonatal)
- Lowest patient to nurse ratio
What are the characteristics of transitional units, acute care?
- “Step down” units that bridge between ICU & general medical care
- Patient to nurse ratios between ICU and general care
What are the acute care team members?
• Hospitalist
• Specialty physician (ortho, neuro, cardio, pulmo, nephro, etc)
• Nurse (usually RN, but sometimes LVN/LPN): primary, charge, managers/directors,
house supervisor
• Rehab team: PT/OT/ST
• Case Managers (usually an RN, but includes social workers)
• Respiratory therapy (RT)
• Pharmacist (RPh)
• Patient care technician/certified nursing assistant (PCT/CNA)
• Chaplain
• Others as needed (hospice care, dialysis nurse, ostomy nurse, etc)
What is SBAR?
Situational briefing guide for staff & provider communication re changes in pt status or needs for non-emergent events, related issues, events in unit, the lab, or within health team.
What are the components of SBAR?
- Situation: What’s going on with the patient?
- Background: What’s the clinical background or context
- Assessment: What do I think the problem is?
- Recommendations: What do I think needs to be done for the patient?
• Does not become part of the medical record
What are the characteristics of the written form of communication used in the acute care setting?
• Medical record: “If you don’t document, it didn’t happen!” - Reading them can be a different story (see example in readings of a physician history and physical) • SBAR
What are the characteristics of the verbal form of communication used in the acute care setting?
- Multi-disciplinary rounds
- Professional-to-professional
- Team huddles
What are the characteristics of communication in the acute care setting?
• Critical for patient safety and medical error prevention!
- Poor communication also contributes to increased length of stay, excessive resource
utilization, poor patient/family satisfaction, and employee turnover
• Necessary for discharge planning: “discharge
planning begins on hospital day one!”
• Facilitates efficient and effective transitions of care
between hospital providers
• Patient privacy of utmost importance! HIPAA!
What do Multidisciplinary Rounds consist of?
Consists of entire healthcare team and/or representatives
What are the characteristics of Multidisciplinary Rounds?
- Meet on daily basis
* Patient-centered
What do Multidisciplinary Rounds focus on?
- Open and collaborative communication
- Decision making
- Information sharing
- Care planning
- Patient safety issues
- Cost and quality of care issues
- Setting daily goals of care
- Communicating with patients and/or family members
What are the components of safety in acute care?
- Imperative to create and maintain a safe environment and plan of care
- Establish appropriateness of care
- Assemble required assistance and items (equipment, AD, PPE, other personnel)
- Two patient identifiers (name, DOB verification– look at wrist band)
- COMMUNICATION!!
What are the components of establishing appropriateness of care in the safety of an acute care setting?
- Verify orders and other precautions (WB, surgical, etc)
- Chart review to determine preliminary precaution list and plan (look at lab values, nursing notes, H&P/MD progress notes)
- VITALS!!!!!
- Key discussions with other providers– esp. nursing and MD
- Anticipate difficulties or challenges in patient mobility or status, and plan accordingly
What are some common safety situations common in acute care (but also present in skilled nursing and inpatient rehab?
- Various mattress types (can change bed mob. strategies)
- Bed and chair alarms
- Call lights/bells
- Presence of various lines, tubes, & monitors
- No undergarments or presence of a brief/adult diaper
- Need for specialized lifting equipment (Hoyer lift, sit-to-stand lift, overhead lift)
What are the precautions to take with patients in an acute care setting?
• Infection control (see other lecture) • Eating/drinking precautions - NPO (can't have anything by mouth) - Swallow precautions - Fluid restrictions - Fluid monitoring (input output) • Falls precautions • 1-on-1 supervision (may be for safety, suicide prec., swallow prec.)
What is the 1st thing to do before any thing begin in the acute care setting?
Before anything begins, ALWAYS check with the nurse about any new developments or information on the patient that may not have been in your
chart review!
What are the subjective information to get in an acute care exam?
- PLOF and work/school/activities— FALL HX!!!
- Caregiver support and availability
- Home situation and barriers– esp. stairs to enter home and whether home 1-2 stories; where is the main bedroom & is there a full bath on 1st floor?
- Availability of assistive devices
- Patient/caregiver’s d/c plans (may not match up with your assessment, though)
When should the vitals of an acute care patient be assessed?
Before, multiple times during if needed, after activity. Remember pain is another
important part of vitals assessment!
What is a key to remember when doing test and measures?
Recognize that you may not need to do ALL, and some may require adjustments to normal exam technique or may need a more functional assessment
What are the tests and measures that can be done in an acute care setting?
• Cognition • Speech/language ability • General appearance • CVP • MSK– may not be able to perform traditional positions for ROM/strength; look at functional mobility • Neuro– as appropriate for the patient condition: screen vs full exam • Integumentary • Pain • Functional mobility • Standardized measures
How do we choose functional measures appropriate for acute
care use?
- Applicable to the patient
- Practical for use in acute care (time, cost, feasibility)
- Assistance with d/c planning and pt. safety
- Acceptability of test to the individual (tolerance for test, positioning)
- Appropriateness of test for application to the pathology or health condition, body function or status, activity, or participation
What are the general functional mobility and endurance functional measures that are appropriate for acute care use?
- Functional tests (AMPAC 6-Clicks)
- Cardiovascular endurance (6MWT, 2MWT, 400m walk test, 2 min step test)
- Walking Speed
- RPE during functional activities
What are the balance & falls functional measures that are appropriate for acute care use?
- TUG
- Berg
- Forward Reach
- Single limb support
- ABC
What are the functional strength functional measures that are appropriate for acute care use?
• Chair rise test (quad strength) - 30 sec, timed 5 reps • Arm curl • Supine hip extension • Heel rise • Toe tap
What is the role of n acute care PT?
• Not to necessarily completely resolve the patient’s issues but rather to determine what is needed to d/c safely to the next level of care, whether that is home or to another post-acute facility
• To assist in preventing further functional decline, discourage bed rest as much as is
possible
• To prepare the patient for further care and progressions needed after hospitalization,
whether that is a HEP, family education and training, info re the role of subsequent therapy settings, or other recommendations
• To initiate new movement patterns and/or use of assistive devices needed as a result of
the patient’s surgery, medical condition, or recent functional losses
• To EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE
- You are often the “translator” between the MD and pt/family!
- Multiple opportunities to educate other healthcare providers on many issues
(safety, transfers, body mechanics, role of PT, etc)
What are the characteristics of discharge planning?
• Begins on DAY ONE!!
• Communicate to the hospital team (likely the case manager or hospitalist) immediately
• It’s okay to be a little unsure– better to overestimate care and be prepared than project a lower level of care & have to scramble last minute for d/c disposition
• Consider pt/family resources and projected level of assistance: do these match?
• Use functional measures to help you in justifying d/c recommendations
• Recommend equipment needs– what needs to be arranged by hospital? What
must pt/family secure? How many of these needs are essential for d/c?
• Remember, insurance, finances, and care arrangements can be MESSY!
What are the characteristics of discharge disposition: Home w/no further therapy needed?
Pt. may not even need therapy in the hospital or have no other needs after initial treatments
What are the characteristics of discharge disposition: Home w/home health PT?
- “Homebound” status
- Does the patient need supervision or assistance?
- Pt’s own home/apartment, family or caregiver home, assisted-living facility?
What are the characteristics of discharge disposition: Home w/referral to outpatient therapy?
- Can the pt drive?
- What kind of assistance still needed?
- Oftentimes, a significant gap exists between hospital d/c & start of care in OP–HEP/education critical!
What are the characteristics of discharge disposition: Post-acute facility placement?
- Inpatient rehab (IRF)
- Skilled nursing (SNF)
- Long-term acute care (LTAC)
- Long-term care facility/nursing home
What is the criteria 1 for a patient to be Home health homebound upon discharge?
• Criterion 1: The patient must either:
• Because of illness or injury, need the aid of supportive devices such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and walkers; the use of special transportation; or the assistance of another person in order to leave their place of residence.
OR
• Have a condition such that leaving his or her home is medically contraindicated.
If the patient meets one of the Criteria 1 conditions, then the patient must ALSO meet
both additional requirements defined in Criteria 2.
What is the criteria 2 for a patient to be Home health homebound upon discharge?
- There must exist a normal inability to leave home; and
* Leaving home must require a considerable and taxing effort
What are the patients that go to an Assisted Living Facility upon discharge?
Patients who need housing, support services, and health care
What are the Services/Amenities (Facility dependent) provided at an Assisted Living Facility?
- 3 Meals/day in common dining area
- Housekeeping
- Transportation
- Laundry services
- Exercise/Wellness programs
- Social/Recreational activities
- Social/recreational activities
- Assistance w/ADLs
- Medication assistance
- Rehabilitation services (HH vs OP)
- Emergency call systems
What are the patients that go to an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility upon discharge?
Patient who needs intensive rehabilitation services
• Must be able to tolerate 3 hours of therapy services 5-7 days/wk
- Includes PT, OT, ST (must have AT LEAST two disciplines on board)
What are the characteristics of an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility?
- Length of stay determined by diagnosis: typically 10-12 days
- Rehabilitation is the main focus, medically stable
- No qualifying length of stay required in acute care hospital
- Patients can even be referred from and admitted straight from home or ED
- “60% rule” for Medicare patients
What are the patients that go to a Skilled Nursing Facility upon discharge?
Patient who needs daily skilled care under the direction of skilled nursing or rehabilitation staff for a hospital related medical condition
• Rehabilitation services
• Nursing services (IV injections etc.)
• Activities
What are the characteristics of a Skilled Nursing Facility
- Billed under Part A Medicare for those 65+, otherwise private insurance
- Requires 3 midnight stay in acute care hospital (for Medicare)
- Length of stay up to 100 days
- Can be within a long-term care facility or a free-standing facility (often combined with inpatient rehabilitation services)
What are the patients that go to a Long-term Acute Care Hospital upon discharge?
Patients with multiple co-morbidities who need a long stay of hospital care
• Still need daily medical management by a physician
What are the characteristics of a Long-term Acute Care Hospital?
• Average LOS >25 days • Provide: (These are facility dependent) - Ventilator Weaning - IV Antibiotics - Dialysis - Rehabilitation services - Wound Care services
What is theexternal ventricular drain(EVD)?
A small tube surgically inserted into theventriclesof the brain, which drainscerebrospinal fluid(CSF) The tube is connected to a device that measures the amount of this fluid
When is an external ventricular drain(EVD) used?
When the ICP is elevated, and the drain may be clamped for short periods of time and should only be done by nursing unless your facility regulations allow other providers after significant training.
What must be position of the bed be when using an external ventricular drain(EVD)?
The head of the bed must be elevated to a specific level the bed should be locked out to prevent accidental movement of head of bed. Head must be at 30 deg when the drain is open
Why must the bed be in a certain position when using an external ventricular drain(EVD)?
Because of the specific calibration, function of the drain, and accuracy in measurement. Unless the drain is clamped, the head of the bed may not be changed, and patients should not be mobilized.
Why should you alway check with the nurse prior to working with a patient that has an external ventricular drain(EVD)?
They will need to close drain prior to mobilization.
What is the function of the external ventricular drain(EVD)?
Monitors and alleviates swelling and increased pressures in the ventricles of the brain
Where are the locations that a “central” central line can be?
- Subclavian
- Internal jugular
- External jugular
Where are the locations that a “peripheral” central line can be?
- Basilic
- Cephalic
- Femoral
What are the functions of a central line?
Used to deliver meds, nutrition, dialysis, blood draws
What are the characteristics of a central line?
- Usually patients can be disconnected from any tubing connected to IV pole (other than during dialysis) to allow easier mobilization with less lines to manage.
- Usually the port is covered with a thin clear dressing, always use gloves when handling these patients to prevent infection.
- You should never disconnect any of these lines as nursing will need to flush and clamp to prevent claudication in the line. - Commonly known as a hep lock
Where are IVs inserted and what are they used for?
IV’s are inserted into veins and are used to deliver medications and fluids.
What are the characteristics of an arterial line IV?
- Arterial line are placed in the artery they are quite painful for the patient during insertion and any wiggling of the line is painful.
- Arterial lines are place to limit arterial punctures for blood gas draws and can be used to directly measure pressure.
- Ask nurses which lines can be disconnected (Hep lock) prior to mobilization sometimes, they can which make ambulating patient easier
What should you do if you pull out an IV line?
- Cover site with clean linen, gauze ect ASAP, calmly apply pressure
- Don’t walk away from patient calmly have them sit down.
- Notify Nurse
Where is a Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitors also called swan-ganz catheters inserted?
Directly into pulmonary artery at the right side of the heart
What is the function of the Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitor?
Measures heart function pressure
What is a major component of managing a patient with a Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitor?
ALWAYS CHECK WITH NURSING PRIOR TO MOBILIZATION
What is pulmonary hypertension?
When thepressurein the pulmonary arteryis greater than 25 mm Hg at rest or 30 mmHg during physical activity
When will a patient be placed on an oxygen max or rebreather?
If the patient is on more than 4 L
When will a patient be placed on a nasal cannula and what are the characteristics?
For up to 6L. Is extremely drying to nose tissues and it is common to have nose bleeds.
- This is especially concerning when the patient is on a blood thinner like heprin, coumadin, or a low molecular weight heprin such as levenox.
What is a saline reservoir used for in the administration of oxygen?
To assist with moistening environment, increased comfort for patient O2
What are the characteristics of a saline reservoir?
- Many home health patients will be d/c home without the sterile saline reservoir, never add tap water to the reservoir. - If you are working with a patient who is a mouth breather use mask or if you are working with mouth breather who has nasal cannula, OK to put it in their mouth after wiping with an alcohol wipe.
What is a CPAP and BIPAP usually prescribed for?
- Usually prescribed for sleep apnea but it can also assist with pts with COPD, high level spinal cord, or patients with ALS for respiratory support.
- Also used to decrease work of respiratory muscles so you might find them in ICU after a patient has been extubated from the ventilator.
What does a BIPAP allow for?
Bipap allows for 2 levels for inhalation and exhalation good for pts with COPD as they might need more help getting the air out, and less inspiratory pressures.
What is telemetry and how is it achieved?
The monitoring of the heart EKG without being directly tethered to the EKG machine. Achieved through a 5 lead device
What should be done before working with a patient with a telemetry (tele patient) and why?
Be sure you notify tech prior to working with patients to avoid perceived emergency situation
What is an impella?
A device inserted into the left side of the heart to temporarily assist the heart to pump.
What are the medical devices used to help the heart pump during a Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)?
TheImpella heart pump and IABP
What is a Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)?
A non-surgical procedure used to treat narrowing (stenosis) of thecoronaryarteries of the heart found in coronary artery disease
What does an impella heart pump and IABP do?
- Bothdevicespush blood from the left ventricle to the aorta with each heartbeat.
- Bothdevicesincrease blood flow to your coronary arteries and the rest of your body during the PCI procedure
Intra aortic pump is timed with the beating of the heart deflating in systole and inflates in diastole to increase blood flow to coronary arteries.
What does a ventricular assist device do?
- Increases cardiac circulation in heart failure patients, it can support either right, left, or both sided heart failure and can be worn as an outpatient
- Assists with increasing pressure for circulating blood
What are the characteristics of a ventricular assist device?
It can be use temporary or full time long term awaiting heart transplant.
What does a Pt controlled analgesic, or PCA pump allow for?
Allows the patient to control the delivery of pain medication through IV.
What are the characteristics of a Pt controlled analgesic, or PCA pump?
- The nurse sets the maximal medication units and Dosing controlled by the device so the patient cannot overdose.
- There is Conflicting evidence for use in literature
What is the function of a nasogastric or NG tube?
- Can be used as a drain through connection with wall suction or it can be used for short term delivery of nutrition
What are the characteristics of a nasogastric or NG tube?
- When working patients who have an NG tube you must keep the head of the bed at 45 degrees or greater to prevent aspiration.
- Do Check with nursing to see if the patient can be d/c prior to working with them.
What are the ways to administer of TPN- total parenteral nutrition?
- Central line: vena cava
- Bypass GI tract
- Glucose, protein, vitamin, minerals, lipids
What are the ways to administer PPN- partial parenteral nutrition?
- Peripheral vein lines
- Amino acids, dextrose, lipids
What are the characteristics of the ways to administer total/partial parenteral nutrition?
- These interventions are used for longer term nutrition delivery for very sick or burn pts, as they bypasses GI tract.
- This can be for GI rest, decrease the work of the GI system, or quicker delivery of nutrients directly into the blood stream.
- TPN provides minerals, glucose and lipids and is delivered via central line while PPN is inserted into peripheral veins
What is a hemovac drain used for after surgery?
Used to drain excessive fluid, blood from a surgical sight.
What are the characteristics of a hemovac drain?
Do not open collection device; if opens in advertally let nursing know so they can reestablish suction.
What type of patients have a G- tubes/J tubes?
When working with patient who have swallowing problems, as long term solution for delivery of nutrition with patients that cant swallow: such as GB, CVA, TBI
What are the characteristics of a G- tubes/J tubes?
- These lines do not have the restrictions of an NG and patient can be supine on a flat surface.
- These lines can be surgically removed if the patient regains the ability to swallow.
- The G tube on the top looks infected and I would notify the nurse of this redness
What is the function of a chest tube?
- To re-inflate a collapsed lung through the creation of negative pressure in the chest cavity
- Also used to remove blood during pleural effusion, or pus from empyema.
What are the characteristics of the setup of a chest tube?
- These devices are usually attached to the wall with suction.
- The middle chamber of the collection device of a traditionalchestdrainage system is thewater seal.
What is the main purpose of the water seal found in a chest pump?
The main purpose of the water sealis to allow air to exit from the pleural space on exhalation and prevent air from entering the pleural cavity or mediastinum on inhalation to assist in the re-inflation of the lung.
What does bubbling in the water seal chamber of a chest pump mean?
Air Leak.
What are the characteristics of a chest tube?
- You should always check with nursing to be sure but usually these patients can be disconnected from wall suction for mobilization.
- NEVER roll the patient onto the side with the chest tube it can kink the line and be very painful for the patient. If they cant be disconnected from the wall suction you can work with them sitting as the edge of the bed, standing, marching in place, transfers are all very appropriate interventions.
- Be aware of where the line is, how taunt is is and be sure to keep reservoir below the level of tube entry as raising it may allow the collected fluid to re-enter the chest wall causing infection.
What are the characteristics of a balloon?
- Balloon holds device in bladder
- Be sure and take catheter bag with you so it does not get pulled out
- You can empty the bag prior to mobilization as long as you let nursing know the amount empty
- Keep collection bag lower than bladder to prevent re-entry of urine into bladder
- Can cause bladder infection
What are the characteristics of fecal tubes?
- The patients diet is adjust to allow the feces to be a nectar thick consistency.
- This device is a great help to nursing but more importantly it keeps the patients skin dry and clean as urine and fecal matter will quickly break down the integrity of skin.
- They are also used to keep sacral wounds clean and dry to allow for healing.
What are wound vacs used for?
Used to assist in wound or surgical incision healing.
What are the characteristics of a wound vac?
- Foam and clear drapes are used with suction allowing for any drainage to be pulled away from healing wound.
- Use unit has a battery pack allowing the patient to move and walk with this portable pack.
- An alarm if suction is broken, movement may break suction.
- Usually using a gloved hand to smooth around the dressing will recreate the suction. Or you may need to apply more drapes (they have an adhesive backing) to secure the dressing to allow for appropriate suction. If the unit continues to alarm Let nursing know if they are responsible.
- Always Use gloves when working with these patients as the drainage may be infectious.
What is a Peripheral Compression pump used for?
Used as a prophylactic to prevent DVT and are common after surgery
What are the characteristics of a Peripheral Compression pump?
- Always take the time to remove and check the skin underneath.
**Lazy therapists just disconnect but leave on
What are the characteristics of a general anesthesia?
- Propofol is one of the most commonly used intravenous drugs employed to induce and maintain general anesthesia.
- The patient is unconscious with no awareness and no sensation.
- Generally a majority of the effects are gone within 24 hours however, complete resolution of these medications can take week(s).
What are the characteristics of a regional anesthesia?
- The patient is awake, usually the patient is given additional drugs to decrease awareness examples are spinal or epidurals.
- Epidural medications fall into a class of drugs called local anesthetics, such as bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, orlidocaine.
- They are often delivered in combination withopioids ornarcoticssuch asfental in order to decrease the required dose of local anesthetic.
What are the characteristics of a local/peripheral anesthesia?
- Injected into tissue to temporally numb the area like in dental procedures using the same medications used for epidurals.
- The physician may add epinephrine, clonidine, dexamethasone, tramadol, or sodium bicarbonate to increase effectiveness
What are the characteristics of a conscious sedation?
– midazolamandpropofolare the most commonly used sedatives, whereasfentanylis the most frequently administered analgesic to help relax and block pain while the patient remains awake but not able to speak and wont remember much about procedure: colonoscopy, breast biopsy, minor surgical procedures
What are the side effects of general anesthesia?
- Nausea (most common)
- Vomitting (most common)
- Sore throat
- Confusion
- Muscles aches
- Itching
- Hypothermia
What are some tips a PT should employ when working with a patient that has received a general anesthesia?
- Moving the patient slowly, cueing for deep breathing helps but one should always be ready have a emesis basin or trash can close by.
- Another helpful tip is having a cold damp wash cloth to place on the patients face.
- Another tip is to carry a packaged alcohol wipe if the pt begins to get nauseous open the package and place the pad under the patient nose and have them breath deeply
What causes a sore throat in patients after a general anesthesia?
From intubation
Why is confusion generally worse in older patients after general anesthesia?
Their decrease metabolism and any kidney/liver pathology makes it difficult to clear the medications.
What are some complaints that a patient might have and what should be done?
- If the patient c/o being itchy notify nursing they often have standing order for Benadryl.
- Pts may also complain about being cold refusing to get out of bed. You can use a warm bath blanket to drape over shoulders or promise then deliver lots of warm blankets once you are done with therapy.
What are some complications seen in patients after general anesthesia?
- Delirium
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Malignant hyperthermia
There are some serious and long lasting serious complications of anesthesia. It’s more common in older people
What are the effects of anesthesia on the cardiovascular system?
- Hypotension
- Hypertension
- Dysrhythmias
- Increased risk for MI
- DVT
What are the effects of anesthesia on the respiratory system?
- Hypoventilation
- Decreased ventilation drive
- Aspiration
- PE
What are the effects of anesthesia on the psychomotor function?
- Time to regain consciousness
- Delirium
- Personality changes
- Memory loss