Improving Outcomes for Critically Ill Cardiovascular Patients Through Increased Physical Therapy Staffing.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of increasing physical therapy (PT) staff in a cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) on temporal measures of PT interventions and on outcomes important to patients and hospitals. DESIGN: Retrospective pre/post subgroup analysis from a quality improvement initiative. SETTING: Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Cardiovascular patients in either a baseline (N=52) or quality improvement period (N=62) with a CVICU length of stay (LOS) ≥7 days and use of any one of the following: mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, or mechanical circulatory support. INTERVENTIONS: The 6-month quality improvement initiative increased CVICU-dedicated PT staff from 2 to 4. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in physical therapy delivery were examined using the frequency and daily duration of PT intervention. Post-CVICU LOS was the primary outcome. CVICU LOS, mobility change, and discharge level of care were secondary outcomes. A secondary analysis of hospital survivors was also conducted. RESULTS: Compared to those in the baseline period, cardiovascular patients in the quality improvement period participated in PT for an additional 9.6 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9, 17.2) per day for all patients and 15.1 minutes (95% CI: 7.6, 22.6) for survivors. Post-CVICU LOS decreased 2.2 (95% CI: -6.0, 1.0) days for all patients and 2.6 days (95% CI: -5.3, 0.0) for survivors. CVICU LOS decreased 3.6 days (95% CI: -6.4, -0.8) for all patients and 3.1 days (95% CI: -6.4, -0.9) for survivors. Differences in mobility change and discharge level of care were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Additional CVICU-dedicated PT staff was associated with increased PT treatment and reductions in CVICU and post-CVICU LOS. The effects of each were greatest for hospital survivors.

[ANALYSIS OF A NEW ORGANIZATIONAL MODEL APPLIED TO THE PHYSIOTERAPY SERVICE C/O SURGERY DEPARTMENTS]. / Applicazione ed analisi di un nuovo modello organizzativo al servizio di fisioterapia di supporto dell'A.O. Istituto Ortopedico G. Pini.

The lowering number of physiotherapists c/o surgery departments of Orthopaedic Institute Gaetano Pini of Milan, required the application of a new organizational model based on the centralization of government activities, in order to optimize employment of staff. A programming and reporting tool was developed throught a database. The collected data (from January to December 2013) related to the reported physiotherapists activities were analysed and matched to operating theater's activities in order to find the correlation value. The results are lined up the hypothesis stated in the planning phase of the organizational model's project (in absence of hystorical referral). Correlation between Physiotherapists and Operation Theather's activities was good (r=0.59), giving us a reliable predictional model. This study has some limitations mostly related to the resistence expressed by employees in the change management.

A cross-sectional assessment of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey using the Dillman tailored-design method of administration. SETTING: Hospitals in Nebraska. PARTICIPANTS: Approximately 77% of the 84 Nebraska hospitals that provide stroke rehabilitation are critical access hospitals (CAHs) that are limited to 25 beds. Our study sample of hospitals (N=53) included the 19 hospitals licensed for 47 to 689 beds (non-CAHs) and a stratified random sample of 34 of the 65 CAHs. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported stroke rehabilitation team structure and processes, purposes of and barriers to the use of evidence-based standardized assessments, specific assessments used, and access to specialized stroke rehabilitation services and community resources. RESULTS: Thirty-six (68%) of the 53 hospitals responded to the survey. Approximately 61% of the hospitals used an organized team to provide stroke rehabilitation; 8% of the hospitals-all non-CAHs-had a team dedicated to stroke rehabilitation. After adjusting for hospital size, having an organized team was significantly associated with the use of standardized assessments to improve communication, measure progress and outcomes, evaluate effectiveness of practice, and compare patient outcomes across conditions. Access to specialized stroke rehabilitation professionals and services was significantly greater in non-CAHs. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital size and the presence of a team are determinants of the structure and process of stroke rehabilitation in Nebraska hospitals. Further research is needed to determine (1) whether team structure is a determinant of stroke rehabilitation outcomes across the continuum of care settings, (2) the needs of rural stroke survivors, and (3) whether technology can facilitate the use of stroke rehabilitation standardized assessments by rural health care professionals.

Sunday physiotherapy reduces inpatient stay in knee arthroplasty: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate, in patients treated with knee arthroplasty, whether providing Sunday (7d/wk) physiotherapy intervention could decrease length of stay (LOS) without affecting discharge knee functional outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=229) who underwent total or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. INTERVENTIONS: In October 2009, we implemented a Sunday physiotherapy intervention program for patients undergoing knee arthroplasty on Friday or Saturday. Prior to this initiative, physiotherapy intervention was provided from Monday to Saturday. LOS and discharge knee outcomes were compared between patients seen during the 4-month intervention period (n=73) and patients seen in the 4 months prior to the intervention (n=82). To control for secular trends, LOS during the intervention period was compared with LOS during the same 4 months in the prior year (n=74). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LOS and discharge knee functional outcomes comprising (1) passive knee flexion range of motion, (2) the proportion of patients who were able to perform an unassisted straight-leg raise, and (3) the proportion of patients who ambulated safely with the use of a single walking stick or quadstick. RESULTS: During the Sunday physiotherapy intervention period, median LOS significantly reduced (5-4d). Controlling for secular trends in LOS revealed similar results. The number needed to treat for 1 additional patient to achieve a LOS 4 days or shorter with Sunday physiotherapy intervention was between 3 and 4. There were no significant changes in knee functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Sunday physiotherapy intervention was associated with a modest reduction in LOS and a faster short-term knee recovery.

A Pediatric Hospital Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Department's Response to COVID-19: An Administrative Case Report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the challenges that COVID-19 presented for therapists in a pediatric hospital and the response to these challenges. METHODS: The case report setting is a physical therapy and occupational therapy department (department) of an academic pediatric medical center that provides a range of health care services for children and youth. Challenges that COVID-19 presented to the department included (1) managing safety concerns for patients, their families, and staff; (2) continuing to provide high-quality therapy services within state-mandated restrictions; (3) triaging patients; and (4) keeping clinicians employed and working productively. RESULTS: The department therapists responded to these challenges by (1) increasing communication huddles; (2) developing procedures for staffing and triaging of patients; (3) developing procedures for telehealth therapy services; and (4) designing a remote work program for all department employees. The number of patients and staff on site were reduced by initiating telehealth services, triaging patients, and developing a remote work plan. Communication huddles, department meetings, and supervision meetings were converted to virtual meetings. Staffing rates, patient-care productivity, and department project work were maintained. CONCLUSION: In response to COVID-19, the department developed new protocols and provided information about the protocols, which might be helpful for other pediatric hospitals or outpatient settings when planning for future pandemics or other issues that challenge the ability to provide usual care. Increasing the frequency of verbal and written communication on operational topics is recommended. Primary sources of information from national organizations (eg, the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association) can assist with determining the scope of practice and code of conduct during a pandemic. IMPACT: COVID-19 posed challenges to operations and delivery of patient care. Although this case report is specific to COVID-19, principles applied and lessons learned from this experience can be applied to other emergency situations.

Perspectives of older adults regarding barriers and enablers to engaging in fall prevention activities after hospital discharge.

Older adults recently discharged from hospital are at high risk of functional decline and falls. A tailored fall prevention education provided at hospital discharge aimed to improve the capacity of older adults to engage in falls prevention activities. What remains unknown are the factors affecting behaviour change after hospital discharge. This study identified the perceived barriers and enablers of older adults to engagement in fall prevention activities during the 6-month period post-discharge. An exploratory approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis focused on the lived experience of a purposive sample (n = 30) of participants. All were recruited as a part of an RCT (n = 390) that delivered a tailored fall prevention education program at three hospital rehabilitation wards in Perth, Australia. Data were collected at 6-month post-discharge using semi-structured telephone surveys. Personal stories confirmed that some older adults have difficulty recovering functional ability after hospital discharge. Reduced physical capability, such as experiences of fatigue, chronic pain and feeling unsteady when walking were barriers for participants to safely return to their normal daily activities. Participants who received the tailored fall education program reported positive effects on knowledge and motivation to engage in fall prevention. Participants who had opportunities to access therapy or social supports described more positive experiences of recovery compared to individuals who persevered without assistance. A lack of physical and social support was associated with apprehension and fear toward adverse events such as falls, injuries, and hospital readmission. The lived experience of participants following hospital discharge strongly suggested that they required more supports from both healthcare professionals and caregivers to ensure that their needs were met. Further research that evaluates how to assist this population to engage in programs that will mitigate the high risk of falls and hospital readmissions is required.

Recommendations for Hospital-Based Physical Therapists Managing Patients With COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving and has led to increased numbers of hospitalizations worldwide. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 experience a variety of symptoms, including fever, muscle pain, tiredness, cough, and difficulty breathing. Elderly people and those with underlying health conditions are considered to be more at risk of developing severe symptoms and have a higher risk of physical deconditioning during their hospital stay. Physical therapists have an important role in supporting hospitalized patients with COVID-19 but also need to be aware of challenges when treating these patients. In line with international initiatives, this article aims to provide guidance and detailed recommendations for hospital-based physical therapists managing patients hospitalized with COVID-19 through a national approach in the Netherlands. METHODS: A pragmatic approach was used. A working group conducted a purposive scan of the literature and drafted initial recommendations based on the knowledge of symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and current practice for physical therapist management for patients hospitalized with lung disease and patients admitted to the intensive care unit. An expert group of hospital-based physical therapists in the Netherlands provided feedback on the recommendations, which were finalized when consensus was reached among the members of the working group. RESULTS: The recommendations include safety recommendations, treatment recommendations, discharge recommendations, and staffing recommendations. Treatment recommendations address 2 phases of hospitalization: when patients are critically ill and admitted to the intensive care unit, and when patients are severely ill and admitted to the COVID ward. Physical therapist management for patients hospitalized with COVID-19 comprises elements of respiratory support and active mobilization. Respiratory support includes breathing control, thoracic expansion exercises, airway clearance techniques, and respiratory muscle strength training. Recommendations toward active mobilization include bed mobility activities, active range-of-motion exercises, active (assisted) limb exercises, activities-of-daily-living training, transfer training, cycle ergometer, pre-gait exercises, and ambulation.

The First 60 Days: Physical Therapy in a Neurosurgical Center Converted Into a COVID-19 Center in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report was to describe the role of physical therapists in a neurosurgical center that was converted into a COVID-19 center for critically ill patients. METHODS (CASE DESCRIPTION): On March 16, 2020, the state government of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, determined that a neurosurgical center with 44 ICU beds equipped with mechanical ventilators should immediately transfer all patients with neurological conditions to other institutions and prepare for patients who were critically ill with COVID-19. The staff, including physical therapists, were trained to handle patients with COVID-19, many of whom were developing acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with complex and multifactorial ventilatory support needs. Adjustments were made to the physical therapy routine and protocols. Following the stabilization of patients' respiratory condition, physical therapist interventions focused on restoring physical function. RESULTS: A total of 116 confirmed COVID-19 cases were treated from March 17 to May 17, 2020. Sixty percent were men (70) and 40% were women (46), with a median age of 59 years. Eighty-nine percent (103) underwent mechanical ventilation during hospitalization, of which 11% (11) were successfully extubated. Thirty percent (31) of patients underwent tracheostomy, and 26% of those (8) were successfully decannulated. Of the total patients, 57 patients died (mortality rate of 49%), 4 (3%) were transferred to another institution, 23 (20%) were discharged home, and 32 (28%) continued to be hospitalized. CONCLUSION: Physical therapists in the ICU can facilitate care for critical events such as intubation, patient positioning, ventilatory adjustments, extubation, and functional training. IMPACT: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of physical therapists, specifically in the care of patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. The availability and expertise of physical therapists in the ICU are important for managing critical events such as intubation, patient positioning, ventilatory adjustments, extubation, and functional training.

Efetividade de um plano de metas fisioterapêuticas em pacientes internados em uma unidade de terapia intensiva: uma análise retrospectiva vs. prospectiva / Effectiveness of a plan of physiotherapy goals in patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit: a retrospective analysis vs. prospective

Introdução: A fisioterapia na unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI) apresenta como objetivo utilizar estratégias de mobilização precoce a fim de reduzir o impacto da fraqueza muscular adquirida na UTI. Logo, este estudo apresenta como objetivo avaliar a efetividade de um plano de metas fisioterapêuticas para pacientes internados em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva.Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospectivo e prospectivo comparativo realizado em uma UTI de um hospital público de Porto Alegre. Foram incluídos pacientes internados entre os meses de janeiro e junho de 2019, maiores de 18 anos e que tiveram alta da UTI. A coleta de dados foi realizada através de informações e relatório que constam no prontuário eletrônico utilizado na Instituição. Foi analisado o desfecho das metas estabelecidas na admissão para sentar fora do leito e deambular.Resultados: A maioria dos pacientes foi do sexo masculino (57,5%). A média de idade foi de 60,52 ± 17,64 anos. A maioria das metas estabelecidas, tanto para sentar fora do leito como para deambular, foram atingidas (89% e 86,9%, respectivamente). Houve correlação significativa entre o alcance de meta para deambulação e ganho de força muscular pelo escore MRC (p = 0,041) e ganho de força muscular quando comparada admissão e alta da UTI (p = 0,004).Conclusão: Este estudo observou que estabelecer metas para sentar fora do leito e deambular para pacientes internados em UTI é efetivo.

Introduction: Physiotherapy in the intensive care unit (ICU) aims to use early mobilization strategies in order to reduce the impact of muscle acquired weakness in the ICU. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a physiotherapeutic goal plan for patients admitted to an Intensive Care Unit. Methods: Retrospective and comparative prospective cohort study carried out in an ICU of a public hospital in Porto Alegre. Patients hospitalized between January and June 2019, over 18 years old and discharged from the ICU were included. Data collection was carried out through information and report contained in the electronic medical record used in the Institution. The outcome of goals established at admission for sitting out of bed and walking was analyzed. Results: Most patients were male (57.5%). The mean age was 63.2 ± 16.2 years. Most established goals, both for sitting out of bed and walking, were achieved (89% and 86.9%, respectively). There was a significant correlation between reaching the ambulation goal and muscle strength gain by the MRC score (p= 0.041) and muscle strength gain when comparing admission and discharge from the ICU (p = 0.004). Conclusion: This study observed that establishing goals for sitting out of bed and walking for ICU patients is effective.

Increasing Therapist Productivity: Using Lean Principles in the Rehabilitation Department of an Academic Medical Center.

The Department of Rehabilitation Services, within the University of Maryland Medical Center's 650-bed academic medical center, was experiencing difficulty in meeting productivity standards. Therapists in the outpatient division believed they were not spending enough time performing billable patient care activities. Therapists in the inpatient division had difficulty keeping pace with the volume of incoming referrals. Collectively, these issues caused dissatisfaction among referral sources and frustration among the staff within the rehabilitation department. The department undertook a phased approach to address these issues that included examining the evidence, using Lean process improvement principles, and employing transformational leadership strategies to drive improvements in productivity and efficiency. The lessons learned support the importance of having meaningful metrics appropriate for the patient population served, the use of Lean as an effective tool for improving productivity in rehabilitation departments, the impact of engaging staff at the grassroots level, and the importance of having commitment from leaders. The study findings have implications for not only rehabilitation and hospital leadership, but CEOs and managers of any business who need to eliminate waste or increase staff productivity.

Trainees With Displaced Hip Fractures Present to Physical Therapy With Primary Complaint of Knee Pain.

Stress fractures of the femoral neck are career-threatening and life-altering injuries that occur frequently in Initial Entry Training (IET) Soldiers. Because of the severity of these injuries, military clinics that serve IET Soldiers have implemented guidelines to direct providers in the management of Soldiers with signs of symptoms of stress fracture. These guidelines focus on Soldiers presenting with a primary complaint of hip pain. The cases described here show two Soldiers who had displaced hip fractures despite having primary complaints of knee pain and no self-reported hip pain. In the first case, the patient was ambulatory with a slight limp and lateral knee pain that he rated as 3 out of 10. His physical therapist noted a significant gross leg length discrepancy on physical examination. Leg length X-rays identified a displaced fracture of the femoral neck. In the second case, the Soldier had severe (7/10) lateral knee pain with no complaints of hip pain. He presented to the Emergency Department where he received knee X-rays, which were normal. The next day in physical therapy, he continued to complain of severe knee pain. A femur X-ray demonstrated that he had a displaced hip fracture. Throughout their examination and diagnostic workup, neither of these patients ever experienced any hip pain. The implication of these cases is that clinicians must remain vigilant in examining the joints above and below the primary complaint. This may be more important when evaluating trainees who have a uniquely high risk of severe bone stress injury. Clinicians who work primarily with trainees should consider updating clinical management guidelines to include basic hip screening on patients who present with primary complaints of knee pain. Because of cases like these and the known connection between knee pain and hip pathology, we recommend that clinicians in IET clinics consider screening procedures to rule out hip pathology in trainees with primary complaints of knee pain.

Use of time by physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a stroke rehabilitation unit: a comparison between four European rehabilitation centres.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the time allocated to therapeutic activities (TA) and non-therapeutic activities (NTA) of physiotherapists (PT) and occupational therapists (OT) in stroke rehabilitation units in four European countries. METHOD: Therapists documented their activities in 15-min periods for two weeks. They recorded: activity, number of patients, number of stroke patients, involvement of other people, location and frequency of each activity. Kruskal-Wallis tests and negative binomial regression models were used to compare activities between professional groups and between units. RESULTS: The average proportion of TA per day ranged between 32.9% and 66.1% and was higher for PT than for OT in each unit. For OT, significant differences emerged between the units in the proportion of time allocated to TA compared to NTA with British OTs spending significantly less time in TA. In the Belgian unit, three times less time was spent on patient-related co-ordination activities (e.g., administration, ward rounds) compared to the British and Swiss units. CONCLUSIONS: Time allocation differed between PT and OT and between units, affecting the time available for TA. Further investigation is necessary to study the effect of work organization in stroke rehabilitation units on the efficiency of rehabilitation regimes.

Process of care for battle casualties at Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Part II. Physical therapy service.

Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and physical therapy technicians provide care to soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. We describe the inpatient and outpatient services provided, the problems and solutions encountered, and the lessons learned at the beginning of the war.

Process of care for battle casualties at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Part III. Physical medicine and rehabilitation service.

The Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service provides a critical role in the assessment, management, and disposition of the newly injured combatant. This role has been well demonstrated during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Military physiatrists are uniquely suited to support military service members as they maximize their function and either return to duty or transition to civilian life.

Hospital-Based Outpatient Direct Access to Physical Therapist Services: Current Status in Wisconsin.

BACKGROUND: Direct access to physical therapist services is available in all 50 states, with reported benefits including reduced health care costs, enhanced patient satisfaction, and no apparent compromised patient safety. Despite the benefits and legality of direct access, few data exist regarding the degree of model adoption, implementation, and utilization. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were: (1) to investigate the extent of implementation and utilization of direct access to outpatient physical therapist services in Wisconsin hospitals and medical centers, (2) to identify barriers to and facilitators for the provisioning of such services, and (3) to identify potential differences between facilities that do and do not provide direct access services. DESIGN: A descriptive survey was conducted. METHODS: Eighty-nine survey questionnaires were distributed via email to the directors of rehabilitation services at Wisconsin hospitals and medical centers. The survey investigated facility adoption of the direct access model, challenges to and resources utilized during model implementation, and current barriers affecting model utilization. RESULTS: Forty-seven (52.8%) of the 89 survey questionnaires were completed and returned. Forty-two percent of the survey respondents (20 of 47) reported that their facility offered direct access to physical therapist services, but fewer than 10% of patients were seen via direct access at 95% of the facilities offering such services. The most frequently reported obstacles to model implementation and utilization were lack of health care provider, administrator, and patient knowledge of direct access; its legality in Wisconsin; and physical therapists' differential diagnosis and medical screening abilities. LIMITATIONS: Potential respondent bias and limited generalizability of the results are limitations of the study. These findings apply to hospitals and medical centers located in Wisconsin, not to facilities located in other geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents representing direct access organizations reported more timely access to physical therapist services, enhanced patient satisfaction, decreased organizational health care costs, and improved efficiency of resource utilization as benefits of model implementation. For organizations without direct access, not being an organizational priority, concerns from referral sources, and concerns that the physician-patient relationship would be negatively affected were noted as obstacles to model adoption.

Implementing treatment frequency and duration guidelines in a hospital-based pediatric outpatient setting: administrative case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Determining treatment frequency and duration of physical therapist services is an important component of outpatient pediatric physical therapist practice, yet there is little research available to inform these decisions. Treatment frequency guidelines (TFG) can assist decision making in guiding pediatric physical therapy. The purpose of this project was to examine the feasibility and application of implementing TFG in hospital-based pediatric outpatient physical therapy. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Previously developed TFG were modified for use in our pediatric outpatient physical therapy department to include duration and were referred to as treatment frequency and duration guidelines (TFDG). In order to successfully implement the TFDG, there were 2 phases to the project. In phase 1, the staff were provided the guidelines and procedures in a staff meeting and via email using a PowerPoint presentation. Phase 2 was initiated due to the poor response of the staff in implementing the guidelines in their practice after phase 1. The format was changed to include formal re-education via small-group and one-on-one education sessions (phase 2). Chart reviews were completed to assess therapists' adherence to using TFDG. OUTCOMES: Therapists' adherence to use of TFDG increased following re-education: phase 1 (n=225 charts, 31% adherence) and phase 2 (n=197 charts, 90% adherence). DISCUSSION: Treatment frequency and duration guidelines may assist in guiding frequency and duration decisions in pediatric physical therapy. Education via in-person meetings may improve adherence among staff.