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Putting the Value Back in Lab Results


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Many physical therapists express frustration with identifying and interpreting key lab results. While interpreting lab values can be complex, it is important for physical therapists to utilize these findings for safe and effective exercise prescription. The Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Practice Committee updated its Lab Values Interpretation Resources, outlining the necessity for every PT and PTA to demonstrate competence with lab value interpretation in clinical decision making. It is expected that each physical therapist will integrate information from the chart review in order to anticipate medical conditions and recognize lab values that may affect intervention. PTs and PTAs need to recognize clinical implications of lab values and how to make modifications to the plan of care. The speakers will present this updated document with a succinct guide for the busy therapy provider. Through lecture, cases, and quizzes, attendees will recognize the importance of lab values and their implications to promote safe and effective care.

Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize the importance of reviewing lab values prior to initiating an examination/intervention.

2. Describe the clinical considerations related to abnormal lab values.

3. Classify lab values that are pertinent to physical therapy professionals and their implications on various systems.

4. Utilize the Guide to identify relative and absolute parameters for therapeutic participation.

Jamie Dyson

PT, DPT

Jamie has been practicing acute care physical therapy for over 25 years. His primary area of practice has been in the intensive care units specializing in trauma and burn care. He is a certified instructor for Advanced Burn Life Support as well as both an APTA Basic and Advanced Credentialed Clinical Instructor. He practices at Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford Florida. He is a Courtesy Assistant Clinical Professor with the University of Central Florida Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; teaching cardiopulmonary, integumentary, clinical integrations, pharmacology, and acute care physical therapy. Jamie received his BS in PT from Northeastern University, Boston, MA and completed his t-DPT through A.T. Still University. Dr. Dyson was awarded the Signe Brunnstrom Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching in 2013 and the FPTA Fred Rutan Award for Outstanding Service in 2017. He is a member of the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Practice Committee. He is actively involved with the Florida Physical Therapy Association serving as Chapter President.

Dr. Kim Levenhagen

PT, DPT, WCC, CLT, FNAP

Dr. Kim Levenhagen PT, DPT, WCC, CLT, FNAP is an associate professor at Saint Louis University. She teaches the acute care curriculum, Communication Processes, and Interprofessional Team Seminar. Dr. Levenhagen is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and Credentialed Advanced Clinical Instructor. She is a member of the Academies of Acute Care and Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management, and Oncologic Physical Therapy. She is a member of the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy Practice Committee and the Nominating Committee. She has Wound Care Certification and is a Certified Lymphedema Therapist as well as extensive clinical experience in acute care. She has published in the areas of infection control, HIV, lymphedema, wound care and education. She serves on the clinical practice guideline for upper quadrant lymphedema. Dr. Levenhagen received Excellence in Classroom Teaching for the Doisy College of Health Sciences in 2013, the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014, the Avis Meyer Excellence in Advising award in 2015, the James Korn Award for Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in 2018 and the Phil Lyons Outstanding Staff Award in 2018.

Traci Norris

PT, DPT

Traci Norris, PT, DPT is an acute care physical therapist and Rehabilitation Clinical Specialist for evidence-based practice and clinical practice change at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri. She has been responsible for leading groups and initiatives around evidence-based practice and best practice initiatives at her facility. She is a board-certified geriatric clinical specialist and is chair of the Practice Committee for the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy (AACPT). She is an APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor and Credentialed Advanced Clinical Instructor. She has presented locally and nationally on areas including acute care physical therapy, evidence-based practice, frailty, geriatrics, and early mobilization. She is a recipient of the Mary Sinnott award for Clinical Excellence in Acute Care from the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy and the Patty K Sheets Award for Excellence in Physical Therapy Education from Washington University Program in Physical Therapy.

Kathy Swanick

PT, DPT, Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Kathy Swanick PT DPT Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist has been a practicing Physical Therapist for over 30 years working in areas of outpatient orthopedics and for the past 12 years in acute care and ICU settings. She is an APTA certified clinical instructor, and is actively engaged with the Academy of Acute Care serving on the Practice Committee, Lab Values Task force and Vital signs task force. She is currently practicing at Health Park Medical Center with the Lee Health System in Fort Myers Florida and also serves as an Instructor in the DPT program at Florida Gulf Coast University teaching content in complex medical, acute care, wound care and orthopedics. She has also served in leadership roles with the Florida Physical Therapy Association including Regional Director, Chapter Secretary, 2 terms as Chapter President and is currently serving as Director of Advocacy.

Course Instructions

  1. Click on the Contents tab to watch the course recording.
  2. Click the Take Quiz button to complete the assessment. Learners will have 3 attempts to pass and must answer at least 70% of questions correctly.
  3. Click Fill Out Survey under the Evaluation listing to provide valuable course feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
  4. Click the View/Print Your Certificate button under the Certificate listing. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the APTA Learning Center and clicking the CEU Certificate/Transcript link on the left-hand side of the page. 

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Assessment
10 Questions  |  5 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass
10 Questions  |  5 attempts  |  7/10 points to pass Please complete the post-course assessment with a score of 70% or better. You have 3 attempts to obtain a passing score.
Evaluation
12 Questions
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CEU Certificate
Up to 0.10 contact hours available  |  Certificate available
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