Role of Physical Therapy in ICU Highlighted in Case Study
Available from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the October Web M&M's Spotlight Case, "Mobility Lost in the ICU," written by APTA member Jim Smith, PT, DPT, MA, explains the role of physical therapy in the hospital and intensive care unit (ICU). Smith's commentary features a man who was admitted to the trauma service with severe injuries was transferred to the ICU for mechanical ventilation. After 6 weeks of hospitalization, the patient's initial shoulder injury progressed to involve significantly limited mobility and pain, prompting concern that physical therapy should have been initiated earlier. Smith's commentary also includes proposed system changes and take-home points for physical therapists.
A PowerPoint presentation of the case study also is available on AHRQ's Web site.