Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

October 5, 2011

We do not have mobility technicians at our facility but I am working with

nursing staff on enhancing our culture of mobility. My question for Matt

and others is, how are you defining skilled PT for others to understand?

Do you say that anyone who has PT orders is not to be moved or ambulated

by anyone but therapy? I don't want to put patients at risk for safety

issues but I don't want a bunch of inappropriate orders for PT to have to

make sure they are safe with walking first and ultimately I don't want to

give away our profession to others that claim to be doing therapy when in

fact they are just mobilizing the patient.

I would love to hear how other hospitals tackle mobility of all of their

patients.

Thanks in advance.

alice

Alice M. Peay PT, DPT, MS

Manager

Inpatient Physical Therapy Services

P.O. Box 980419

MCV Station

Richmond, VA 23298

apeay@...

To: " PTManager " <PTManager >

Date: 10/05/2011 09:50 AM

Subject: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

Sent by: PTManager

I am interested to learn whether other hospital systems have implemented

the use of mobility technicians to increase the amount of supervised

ambulation available during a hospital stay? My organization intends on

adding this position for those patients that don't require skilled PT for

gait training but would benefit from being ambulated more frequently than

the nursing unit is able to provide. Also, is anyone willing to share

their hospital's job description for mobility technician?

Thanks,

Matt Wutke PT, MHCA

Outpatient Physical Medicine and Rehab Manager

Providence Hospital and Providence Park Hospital

matt.wutke@...

October 6, 2011

I am so jealous. I hope you keep us posted on how this works out. We would

never get this through our finance department. Illogical I know but true.

Katesel strimbeck PT, MS

PT Supervisor

St. 's Hospital

Albany, New York

katesels@...

October 6, 2011

I am so jealous. I hope you keep us posted on how this works out. We would

never get this through our finance department. Illogical I know but true.

Katesel strimbeck PT, MS

PT Supervisor

St. 's Hospital

Albany, New York

katesels@...

October 7, 2011

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists refer

the patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more ambulation, but

nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient is at their PLOF - SBA

or minimal assist, and needs someone to 'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will

tell the restorative tech the dx, precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows

the plan and writes a note in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help check

splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there is little

concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This helps the nursing

staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also educates the nurses about

the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment is

referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their service. This

program has been very helpful to our department, as we miss less PT and OT

patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South

Health

Robyn.Holland@...

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 7, 2011

Please define PLOF. None of our staff are familiar with that abbreviation.

Carol Rehder, PT

Manager, Physical Therapy

Genesis Medical Center

rehder@genesis@...

>>> " Robyn Holland, PT, GCS " 10/7/2011 8:13 AM >>>

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists refer

the patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more ambulation, but

nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient is at their PLOF - SBA

or minimal assist, and needs someone to 'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will

tell the restorative tech the dx, precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows

the plan and writes a note in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help check

splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there is little

concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This helps the nursing

staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also educates the nurses about

the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment is

referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their service. This

program has been very helpful to our department, as we miss less PT and OT

patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South

Health

Robyn.Holland@...

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 7, 2011

Prior level of function, I am assuming.

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Carol Rehder

Sent: Friday, October 07, 2011 10:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

Please define PLOF. None of our staff are familiar with that abbreviation.

Carol Rehder, PT

Manager, Physical Therapy

Genesis Medical Center

rehder@genesis@...<mailto:genesis%40genesishealth.com>

>>> " Robyn Holland, PT, GCS "

<robyn.holland@...<mailto:robyn.holland%40coxhealth.com>> 10/7/2011

8:13 AM >>>

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists refer the

patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more ambulation, but

nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient is at their PLOF - SBA

or minimal assist, and needs someone to 'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will

tell the restorative tech the dx, precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows

the plan and writes a note in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help check

splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there is little

concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This helps the nursing

staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also educates the nurses about

the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment is

referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their service. This

program has been very helpful to our department, as we miss less PT and OT

patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South

Health

Robyn.Holland@...<mailto:Robyn.Holland%40coxhealth.com>

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 7, 2011

" PLOF " stands for " prior level of function. " While not an " approved

abbreviation " at our facility, we do use it in conversation!

Kerry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

Therapy Manager

FAHC IP Rehab Therapies

Colchester, VT 05446

Fax:

www.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

Please define PLOF. None of our staff are familiar with that abbreviation.

Carol Rehder, PT

Manager, Physical Therapy

Genesis Medical Center

rehder@genesis@...

>>> " Robyn Holland, PT, GCS " 10/7/2011

>>> 8:13 AM >>>

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists refer

the patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more ambulation, but

nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient is at their PLOF - SBA

or minimal assist, and needs someone to 'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will

tell the restorative tech the dx, precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows

the plan and writes a note in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help check

splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there is little

concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This helps the nursing

staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also educates the nurses about

the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment is

referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their service. This

program has been very helpful to our department, as we miss less PT and OT

patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South Health Robyn.Holland@...

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 7, 2011

Whose budget covers these people?

Also -- the term " restorative tech " is disturbing to me. Sounds too close to

" rehab " .

How does this fit with state laws even if there is no charge. Whose ox will be

gored when there is some accident? Lawsuit?

WHo holds the responsibility? Sounds like the PT is still holding the bag.

Lucy Buckley PT

Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists refer

the patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more ambulation, but

nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient is at their PLOF - SBA

or minimal assist, and needs someone to 'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will

tell the restorative tech the dx, precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows

the plan and writes a note in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help check

splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there is little

concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This helps the nursing

staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also educates the nurses about

the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment is

referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their service. This

program has been very helpful to our department, as we miss less PT and OT

patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South

Health

Robyn.Holland@...

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 11, 2011

It would be best to have the restorative aide be part of the nursing

department. Basically the therapist would identify the need for the

patient to have maintenance type care and not in need of skilled

services. Then d/c the patient with recommendations for the patient to

be ambulated 2x/day or whatever the needs are. The R.A. would just

follow this recommendation under the supervision of a nurse. [ Usually

most of the maintenance activities fall within the " standards of care "

for nursing - they are just too busy to perform them]. And usually the

R.A. is a CNA, this way they can check vitals if needed or assist with

ADLs as part of the activity.

Joe Trpcic

Rehab Services Supervisor

Beaufort Memorial Hospital

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

Behalf Of Lucy Buckley

Sent: Friday, October 07, 2011 11:53 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

Whose budget covers these people?

Also -- the term " restorative tech " is disturbing to me. Sounds too

close to " rehab " .

How does this fit with state laws even if there is no charge. Whose ox

will be gored when there is some accident? Lawsuit?

WHo holds the responsibility? Sounds like the PT is still holding the

bag.

Lucy Buckley PT

Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care

We started a restorative tech position a few years ago. The therapists

refer the patient to the Restorative tech when the patient needs more

ambulation, but nursing staff isn't able to do it. Also, if the patient

is at their PLOF - SBA or minimal assist, and needs someone to

'maintain' walking. The PT or OT will tell the restorative tech the dx,

precautions, what to do etc. The RT follows the plan and writes a note

in the chart.

Our restorative techs also do other things besides walking. They help

check splints after the PT or OT determines the fit is good, and there

is little concern for skin breakdown, they help apply CPM's, etc. This

helps the nursing staff by taking a load off of them, but the RT also

educates the nurses about the devices.

The RT's can do basic exercises with the patient. All of their treatment

is referred to them by the therapists. They do not charge for their

service. This program has been very helpful to our department, as we

miss less PT and OT patients now.

Robyn Holland, PT, GCS

Therapy Manager, Acute Care Therapy-South

Health

Robyn.Holland@... <mailto:Robyn.Holland%40coxhealth.com>

Phone:

__________

Health - a Top 100 Integrated Health Care Network

COXHEALTH

October 12, 2011

Joe, your reasoning for the restorative aide position to report to nursing is

logical and makes perfect sense. At the hospital that I work in we have chosen

however to keep our " ambulation assistants " under Rehab control (both from a

budget and overall work responsibility perspective). Our fear with giving this

position up to Nursing is that they do not appear to have the same passion and

understanding of how important general mobility is for the acute inpatient.

With that being said we are pretty sure that the first time a given nursing unit

was short on support staff they would subordinate the mobility responsibilities

to more of a nursing aide position and forsake the mobility for other tasks.

Hope your day goes well!

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

ph Trpcic

Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 16:26

To: PTManager

Subject: RE: Re: Mobility Technician for Acute Care