Re: wait times to new evaluations

[Guest guest]

We offer a next day eval to clients and our physicians. It may not " jive " with

the clients schedule for that day. We also offer same day evals.

Adam P. Carson, DPT, OCS

3231 Main Street, Suite 3

, AR 72022

www.carsonphysicaltherapy.com

> I am curious what most outpatient clinics strive for in regards to quality

access to services. What is the target for wait time to new evaluation?

Obviously the quicker the better; I would just like to poll to see what

benchmark others are using. Also, if others have implemented a successful

strategy to speed up wait times to new evaluations/entry I would appreciate

hearing what worked.

> Thanks-

>

> Jeanne Bradshaw, PT, OCS

> Director of Rehabilitation Services

> Appalachian Regional Healthcare System

> Post Office Box 2600

> Boone, NC 28607

> phone

> fax

> www.apprhs.org<http://www.apprhs.org>

>

> " Making Life Better "

> P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail

>

> ________________________________

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of scott hankins

> Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 10:33 PM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: When to hire another FTE

>

> Can anyone give me a tried and true formula or KPI (if there is one) that

> triggers you to hire a part time or full time FTE? I have used pts/FTE ratios

> for quality management, payroll expense/visit ratios or inability to get evals

> in 3-5 business days. Let me know if you have used these and what your ratios

> are or if you have other triggers you use.

>

> Thanks a million in advance,

> Hankins, PT

> Owner

> Synergy Therapies, LLC

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think it would be interesting to ask people if they are private practice or

if they are employed in hospital system, etc.

If we can get the patient verified we try to do the same day or next day.

Matt Capo, PT

Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

When to hire another FTE

Can anyone give me a tried and true formula or KPI (if there is one) that

triggers you to hire a part time or full time FTE? I have used pts/FTE ratios

for quality management, payroll expense/visit ratios or inability to get evals

in 3-5 business days. Let me know if you have used these and what your ratios

are or if you have other triggers you use.

Thanks a million in advance,

Hankins, PT

Owner

Synergy Therapies, LLC

[Guest guest]

Matt,

I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy depts

don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive to do

the same thing for patients that you do.

Lindberg, PT

Avista Adventist Hospital

Louisville, CO

[Guest guest]

Your response is noted.

Our clinic policy is 48 hours or less. Patients can request a longer time frame

to start care. We are 90% successful in our policy. Post operative cases take

precedent and can be same day if necessary. Off work workers compensation cases

are 48 hours or less. This requires an efficient front office obtaining

authorizations at time of referral.

The hospital 8000 sq ft hospital out patient clinic down the road typically has

a 2-3 week wait. This leads to patient/physician/insurance carrier frustration.

Physicians who are employees of hospitals gain production bonuses for using

hospital based services get very angry when their employer is unable to fulfill

promises made.

Go USA women's soccer, beat Japan.

Roll PT

www.ptcos.com

>

> Matt,

> I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy depts

don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive to do

the same thing for patients that you do.

>

> Lindberg, PT

> Avista Adventist Hospital

> Louisville, CO

>

[Guest guest]

Your response is noted.

Our clinic policy is 48 hours or less. Patients can request a longer time frame

to start care. We are 90% successful in our policy. Post operative cases take

precedent and can be same day if necessary. Off work workers compensation cases

are 48 hours or less. This requires an efficient front office obtaining

authorizations at time of referral.

The hospital 8000 sq ft hospital out patient clinic down the road typically has

a 2-3 week wait. This leads to patient/physician/insurance carrier frustration.

Physicians who are employees of hospitals gain production bonuses for using

hospital based services get very angry when their employer is unable to fulfill

promises made.

Go USA women's soccer, beat Japan.

Roll PT

www.ptcos.com

>

> Matt,

> I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy depts

don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive to do

the same thing for patients that you do.

>

> Lindberg, PT

> Avista Adventist Hospital

> Louisville, CO

>

[Guest guest]

Your response is noted.

Our clinic policy is 48 hours or less. Patients can request a longer time frame

to start care. We are 90% successful in our policy. Post operative cases take

precedent and can be same day if necessary. Off work workers compensation cases

are 48 hours or less. This requires an efficient front office obtaining

authorizations at time of referral.

The hospital 8000 sq ft hospital out patient clinic down the road typically has

a 2-3 week wait. This leads to patient/physician/insurance carrier frustration.

Physicians who are employees of hospitals gain production bonuses for using

hospital based services get very angry when their employer is unable to fulfill

promises made.

Go USA women's soccer, beat Japan.

Roll PT

www.ptcos.com

>

> Matt,

> I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy depts

don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive to do

the same thing for patients that you do.

>

> Lindberg, PT

> Avista Adventist Hospital

> Louisville, CO

>

[Guest guest]

We have a policy that all patients must be offered an appointment within 48 hrs.

We do see people same day or next day if the dx requires, for immediate

splinting needs, etc. We are a large hospital system with 30+ outpatient

therapy clinics.

RSusick, PT

Providence Health and Services

Portland, OR

________________________________

This message is intended for the sole use of the addressee, and may contain

information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under

applicable law. If you are not the addressee you are hereby notified that you

may not use, copy, disclose, or distribute to anyone the message or any

information contained in the message. If you have received this message in

error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete this

message.

[Guest guest]

I have long wanted to ask, how do those of you that get new evaluations in the

door within " 48 hours or less " do it? I have 7 therapists on staff and we are

often booked out for 2-3 weeks or more during our busiest season. Even if I was

able to convince a therapist to stay late or start early (they are already

working ten hour days this time of year) I would have no spots to schedule that

new patient's follow up visits. So how do you do it? Do you double book?,

triple book?, shift another patient to a tech or an aides " schedule " , double

book a PTA? Is this new patient getting a quality evaluation? I know that I see

patients every day who are amazed that I actually take the time to do an

evaluation, they relay stories of being " seen " but not examined and instead

simply started on an exercise protocol pulled out of a drawer at their previous

PT. Are we devaluing our profession and underserving our patients in the name

of pleasing our referral sources? Does it benefit the patient more to be seen

right away in a haphazard manner or to wait for someone who will actually take

the time to do a quality evaluation and design an individual treatment plan with

adequate follow up visits actually performed by the individual who did the

evaluation? I don't know the answers to these questions but I do know that we

see patients in our clinic everyday who are willing to wait for the latter,

especially if they have already been through the prior. I appreciate the

discussion.

E s, PT, DPT

Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

www.douglasspt.com

> >

> > Matt,

> > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> >

> > Lindberg, PT

> > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > Louisville, CO

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I have long wanted to ask, how do those of you that get new evaluations in the

door within " 48 hours or less " do it? I have 7 therapists on staff and we are

often booked out for 2-3 weeks or more during our busiest season. Even if I was

able to convince a therapist to stay late or start early (they are already

working ten hour days this time of year) I would have no spots to schedule that

new patient's follow up visits. So how do you do it? Do you double book?,

triple book?, shift another patient to a tech or an aides " schedule " , double

book a PTA? Is this new patient getting a quality evaluation? I know that I see

patients every day who are amazed that I actually take the time to do an

evaluation, they relay stories of being " seen " but not examined and instead

simply started on an exercise protocol pulled out of a drawer at their previous

PT. Are we devaluing our profession and underserving our patients in the name

of pleasing our referral sources? Does it benefit the patient more to be seen

right away in a haphazard manner or to wait for someone who will actually take

the time to do a quality evaluation and design an individual treatment plan with

adequate follow up visits actually performed by the individual who did the

evaluation? I don't know the answers to these questions but I do know that we

see patients in our clinic everyday who are willing to wait for the latter,

especially if they have already been through the prior. I appreciate the

discussion.

E s, PT, DPT

Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

www.douglasspt.com

> >

> > Matt,

> > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> >

> > Lindberg, PT

> > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > Louisville, CO

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

The answer to your dilemma seems obvious.hire more therapists to handle the

clientele in a more efficient manner. You don't mention anything about

space being a limiting factor, though the presumption would be that if you

have clientele waiting 2 - 3 week out that with more staff, there would

likely be a greater number of people in the facility during the day and this

would almost certainly necessitate more space and resources. Having to wait

such a long time is such a displeasure to your clients, physicians, case

managers, adjusters, etc. So, what is holding you back?

Bob Lueke, PT

Lincoln, NE

[Guest guest]

Thank you for asking those questions, and sharing your experiences of

patients reports of pull out of the drawer or pass off to technician (aide?)

to do the follow up treatment sessions.

Steve Marcum PT

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Lexington, KY

Sent from my Windows Phone

[Guest guest]

Thank you for asking those questions, and sharing your experiences of

patients reports of pull out of the drawer or pass off to technician (aide?)

to do the follow up treatment sessions.

Steve Marcum PT

Outpatient Physical Therapy

Lexington, KY

Sent from my Windows Phone

[Guest guest]

Just curious.....

If any clinic, hospital-based or other, has a waiting list of 2-3 weeks to see a

new referral: why are they not hiring more therapists?

Seems to me that having too much business is a far better " problem " to have than

having too little.

Am I missing something?

Dean, PT

> >

> > Matt,

> > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> >

> > Lindberg, PT

> > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > Louisville, CO

> >

>

[Guest guest]

On the other hand, if you can get all new referrals evaluated within 48 hours

you may be overstaffed.

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Ah, yes that would seem the easy answer, and we have added a few contract

therapists for season but, good, quality full time salaried staff is not always

easy to find, especially in a private practice that finds it difficult to

compete, salary wise, with nursing homes and home health agencies for new

graduates that have 60-80k of student loan debt to pay off, but that is for

another discussion. We have been in private practice for ten years now, we could

squeeze new patients onto the schedule within 48 hours, double and tripple book

displacing follow up visits to techs or aides but instead we have chosen to

treat out patients as we would want to be treated. Our patients know the

situation, they know to book post op therapy way in advance and they know that

if they get into an acute situation we will do our best to get them in ASAP and

in lieu of that we have a network of PT practices in the area that we trust to

treat our patients the way we feel they should be treated and we refer those in

acute need to them, we have seen those patients largely remain loyal to us if

and when they should need further therapy in the future. Again, I am not saying

my way is the right way and I realize that the seasonality of SW Fla presents

it's own unique issues, I am just explaining how we have decided to run our

business and how it has worked for us.

E s, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

www.douglasspt.com

>

> ,

>

> The answer to your dilemma seems obvious.hire more therapists to handle the

> clientele in a more efficient manner. You don't mention anything about

> space being a limiting factor, though the presumption would be that if you

> have clientele waiting 2 - 3 week out that with more staff, there would

> likely be a greater number of people in the facility during the day and this

> would almost certainly necessitate more space and resources. Having to wait

> such a long time is such a displeasure to your clients, physicians, case

> managers, adjusters, etc. So, what is holding you back?

>

>

>

> Bob Lueke, PT

>

> Lincoln, NE

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

An owner who stays late to treat " extra patients " benefits from the full

reimbursable income as a result of his or her work. An employee never receives

the same reimbursement for staying late.

If clinic owners agreed to pay their employees the full reimbursable amount

minus costs (not including the P.T. salary) for seeing extra patients, I think

you might see a different level of commitment.

I know this is unrealistic but it shows that an owner has more to gain for their

extra effort than the employee.

Expecting the same level of commitment from and employee as from a clinic owner

is unrealistic.

Because an employee does not have the same commitment as an owner does not make

him or her a bad PT. They simply don't have the same level of financial

incentive to stay as an owner does.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

Methodist Medical Center

>

> Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of acceleratedptbsl@...

> Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

>

>

>

> Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

>

> Matt Capo, PT

> Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

>

> Re: wait times to new evaluations

>

> Matt,

> I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy depts

don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive to do

the same thing for patients that you do.

>

> Lindberg, PT

> Avista Adventist Hospital

> Louisville, CO

>

>

[Guest guest]

Stop and think about this for a minute, this is one of the big issues

challenging our profession today, you advocate for paying a salaried therapist

full reimbursement minus cost for staying late and seeing an extra patient, what

if the clinic owner were to turn around and ask the salaried therapist to return

wages when a patient cancles or no-shows or say when an insurance claim is

denied due to lack of proper documentation. You state that an owner staying late

to see an extra patient receives the full reimbursement for that patient as if

they take that money and put it in their pocket at the end of the day when in

reality in may be used to purchase new equiptment or to make up for visits lost

when a salaried therapist called in sick. All of this is a balancing act, when

both owners and salaried staff share in the burden the rewards for all will be

greater. So when you say that an employee dies not have the same financial

incentive as the owner to see " extra " patients you have to remember that they

also do not share equally in the risk of owning the business. Finally, one would

hope that having the ability to work in a facility that they enjoy and in a

profession that they find rewarding would be incentive enough to share in the

viability of the facility. These are the type of people we look for when hiring

and although they are difficult to find, they are a pleasure to work with.

E s, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

www.douglasspt.com

> >

> > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> >

> > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > To: PTManager

> > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> >

> >

> >

> > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> >

> > Matt Capo, PT

> > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> >

> > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> >

> > Matt,

> > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> >

> > Lindberg, PT

> > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > Louisville, CO

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Commitment and professionalism.

" Because an employee does not have the same commitment as an owner does not make

him or her a bad PT. They simply don't have the same level of financial

incentive to stay as an owner does. "

It shouldn't matter if you are working in private practice, owner or staff

therapist, hospital OP, home health,..... The patient's needs come first.

Without patients there is no need for you to be there. " You " chose this

profession, worked for your education to help patients to the best of your

ability, not just 8-5 Monday-Friday with a 1 hour lunch.

Does your physician(internist/OB GYN..) cancel their appointments at or after 5,

clear the waiting room and tell their patients to reschedule when the schedule

is running late?

Does an ER physician clock out at the end of their shift with a critical case in

room 1?

Yes we all want a fair days wage for a fair days work. It just seems the focus

is on the wage and not the patient. See the patient, make the wage.

What is your level of commitment to being a professional?

Roll

www.ptcos.com

> > >

> > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > >

> > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > To: PTManager

> > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > >

> > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > >

> > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Commitment and professionalism.

" Because an employee does not have the same commitment as an owner does not make

him or her a bad PT. They simply don't have the same level of financial

incentive to stay as an owner does. "

It shouldn't matter if you are working in private practice, owner or staff

therapist, hospital OP, home health,..... The patient's needs come first.

Without patients there is no need for you to be there. " You " chose this

profession, worked for your education to help patients to the best of your

ability, not just 8-5 Monday-Friday with a 1 hour lunch.

Does your physician(internist/OB GYN..) cancel their appointments at or after 5,

clear the waiting room and tell their patients to reschedule when the schedule

is running late?

Does an ER physician clock out at the end of their shift with a critical case in

room 1?

Yes we all want a fair days wage for a fair days work. It just seems the focus

is on the wage and not the patient. See the patient, make the wage.

What is your level of commitment to being a professional?

Roll

www.ptcos.com

> > >

> > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > >

> > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > To: PTManager

> > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > >

> > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > >

> > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Commitment and professionalism.

" Because an employee does not have the same commitment as an owner does not make

him or her a bad PT. They simply don't have the same level of financial

incentive to stay as an owner does. "

It shouldn't matter if you are working in private practice, owner or staff

therapist, hospital OP, home health,..... The patient's needs come first.

Without patients there is no need for you to be there. " You " chose this

profession, worked for your education to help patients to the best of your

ability, not just 8-5 Monday-Friday with a 1 hour lunch.

Does your physician(internist/OB GYN..) cancel their appointments at or after 5,

clear the waiting room and tell their patients to reschedule when the schedule

is running late?

Does an ER physician clock out at the end of their shift with a critical case in

room 1?

Yes we all want a fair days wage for a fair days work. It just seems the focus

is on the wage and not the patient. See the patient, make the wage.

What is your level of commitment to being a professional?

Roll

www.ptcos.com

> > >

> > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > >

> > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > To: PTManager

> > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > >

> > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > >

> > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

,

My point, which must have been missed, was that owners and employees are (and

always have been) different animals.

If employed therapists were in the exact same situation (risks, rewards, etc.)

as an owner, they would more likely behave like owners.

Lastly, and respectfully, If you reread my previous post, you will see that I

did not advocate (as you asserted) that owners should pay the therapist full

reimbursement for staying late.

I simply made an IF – THEN scenario followed by the sentence, " I know this is

unrealistic. "

An employed PT is not " bad " simply because they do not behave in the same manner

as an owner.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

Methodist Medical Center

> > >

> > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > >

> > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > To: PTManager

> > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > >

> > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > >

> > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

,

My point, which must have been missed, was that owners and employees are (and

always have been) different animals.

If employed therapists were in the exact same situation (risks, rewards, etc.)

as an owner, they would more likely behave like owners.

Lastly, and respectfully, If you reread my previous post, you will see that I

did not advocate (as you asserted) that owners should pay the therapist full

reimbursement for staying late.

I simply made an IF – THEN scenario followed by the sentence, " I know this is

unrealistic. "

An employed PT is not " bad " simply because they do not behave in the same manner

as an owner.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

Methodist Medical Center

> > >

> > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > >

> > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > To: PTManager

> > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > >

> > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > >

> > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > >

> > > Matt,

> > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > >

> > > Lindberg, PT

> > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > Louisville, CO

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

,

Your example of an internist/OB GYN or an ER doctor is not directly comparable

to P.Ts.

As of 2010, 71% of physicians were practice owners. They put their patients

first AND got paid for their extra efforts.

Physicians who choose to be employed typically have a compensation arrangement

that consists of a salary PLUS bonuses based upon revenue or collection

milestones. They too can put their patients first AND get paid accordingly for

their efforts.

In both of the above situations, there is a direct correlation between

commitment and reimbursement (wage). More work = More wage.

As a general rule, P.T.'s are not offered similar compensation arrangements that

M.D.s have. If they were, you would almost certainly see an increased level of

" commitment " and " professionalism " .

The physical therapy profession is absolutely centered around patients. Without

patients, physical therapists would not have jobs. Without wage compensation,

we would not want those jobs.

There must be balance between the two.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

> > > >

> > > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > > >

> > > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > > To: PTManager

> > > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > > >

> > > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > > >

> > > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > > Matt,

> > > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > > >

> > > > Lindberg, PT

> > > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > > Louisville, CO

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

,

Your example of an internist/OB GYN or an ER doctor is not directly comparable

to P.Ts.

As of 2010, 71% of physicians were practice owners. They put their patients

first AND got paid for their extra efforts.

Physicians who choose to be employed typically have a compensation arrangement

that consists of a salary PLUS bonuses based upon revenue or collection

milestones. They too can put their patients first AND get paid accordingly for

their efforts.

In both of the above situations, there is a direct correlation between

commitment and reimbursement (wage). More work = More wage.

As a general rule, P.T.'s are not offered similar compensation arrangements that

M.D.s have. If they were, you would almost certainly see an increased level of

" commitment " and " professionalism " .

The physical therapy profession is absolutely centered around patients. Without

patients, physical therapists would not have jobs. Without wage compensation,

we would not want those jobs.

There must be balance between the two.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

> > > >

> > > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > > >

> > > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > > To: PTManager

> > > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > > >

> > > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > > >

> > > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > > Matt,

> > > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > > >

> > > > Lindberg, PT

> > > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > > Louisville, CO

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

,

Your example of an internist/OB GYN or an ER doctor is not directly comparable

to P.Ts.

As of 2010, 71% of physicians were practice owners. They put their patients

first AND got paid for their extra efforts.

Physicians who choose to be employed typically have a compensation arrangement

that consists of a salary PLUS bonuses based upon revenue or collection

milestones. They too can put their patients first AND get paid accordingly for

their efforts.

In both of the above situations, there is a direct correlation between

commitment and reimbursement (wage). More work = More wage.

As a general rule, P.T.'s are not offered similar compensation arrangements that

M.D.s have. If they were, you would almost certainly see an increased level of

" commitment " and " professionalism " .

The physical therapy profession is absolutely centered around patients. Without

patients, physical therapists would not have jobs. Without wage compensation,

we would not want those jobs.

There must be balance between the two.

Jon Mark Pleasant, PT

> > > >

> > > > Your point is well taken Matt. I do agree that some PT’s who work for

hospitals (and some private practices) do not have the private practice owner

commitment that you have just shared. I was in private practice myself and my

patients appreciated it when I came in early or stayed late. I don’t think

this should become an argument over who is better. There are good PT’s and

bad PT’s everywhere.

> > > >

> > > > From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of acceleratedptbsl@

> > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 9:51 AM

> > > > To: PTManager

> > > > Subject: Re: Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Okay, case in point. Had a patient telephone us Monday and schedule an

appointment. We offered Tuesday but he chose to come in Wednesday. I normally

start seeing patient';s at 8 am and close at 7pm, three days a week. But to

accommodate I offered to take this eval at 6:30 (probably keeping me here until

7:30 pm with treatment, not including the paperwork at the end of the day), and

he said " Thank you, the hospital's therapy dept. said they could not get me in

until July 28th " .

> > > >

> > > > Matt Capo, PT

> > > > Accelerated Physical Therapy and Occupational Health, Inc.

> > > > Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead, Mississippi

> > > >

> > > > Re: wait times to new evaluations

> > > >

> > > > Matt,

> > > > I take some offense with your assumption that hospital based OP therapy

depts don't strive to get people in quickly. I work in that world and we strive

to do the same thing for patients that you do.

> > > >

> > > > Lindberg, PT

> > > > Avista Adventist Hospital

> > > > Louisville, CO

> > > >

> > > >