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Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy
Arterial Blood Gasses
Overview: Utilizing the AACPT Lab Values Interpretation Resource, the speakers will present the clinical implications of blood gasses and how to make modifications to the plan of care.
Description: Acute Care physical therapists encounter blood gas results, which they are required to interpret. The result from a blood gas sample can provide reliable data on the state of a patient’s acid-base balance and oxygen levels. This information can be critical in determining appropriateness of physical therapy and exercise dosage. The purpose of this course will provide an overview of blood gas interpretation and how they influence the physical therapy plan of care. Key Words: acute care, blood gas, interpretation
From Bedside to Webside: Academic and Clinical Teaching of Acute Care Physical Therapy in the COVID Era Learning Center Course
COVID-19 has altered our usual approaches to teaching physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students both academically and clinically. This webinar is designed to explore the challenges faced in developing student competence in acute care physical therapy through both academic teaching and clinical education. The panel will discuss strategies for academic faculty to facilitate knowledge and skill for practice in acute care settings given the extensive transition to virtual teaching and limited or absent integrated clinical experiences. Collaboration between academic and clinical partners in creating virtual clinical learning experiences will be highlighted. Challenges in acute care clinical education experiences will be discussed from the perspective of the DCE, SCCE and hospital administration including the ability of sites to accept students during COVID, implications of social distancing and PPE requirements, and best practices to foster students’ achievement of safety and competence.
Functional Outcome Measures in Post-Acute Care: They are Here!
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy professionals have long desired to have consistent functional measures that could begin to quantify the value of rehabilitation services provided to patients treated in skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has developed and finalized measures to do just that. This webinar will describe the measures, define the data elements included in the measures of self-care and mobility, and share important timelines therapists should be aware of. Data finally has the potential to be compared across the post-acute care settings. It will be important for therapists not only to understand the measures and their component elements, but also to insure their processes for collecting data are reliable and accurate.
Meet our Speakers
Ellen R. Strunk, PT, MS, has worked in various roles and settings as clinician and manager and director. Presently, she is owner of Rehab Resources & Consulting, Inc, a company providing continuing education and consulting services for postacute care settings. For the past 7 years, she has specialized in helping clients understand and navigate CMS regulations for postacute care settings, as well as how to prepare for the transition to a value-based system.
She is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy and member of APTA’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Home Health Section, APTA, and Health Policy and Administration Section, APTA. She serves as president of the Alabama Physical Therapy Association and chair of its Practice and Reimbursement committee. She is a member of the American Health Care Association, where over the last 3 years she has been a part of a therapy work group to develop a national quality measure for rehabilitation.
Christine Kroll, OTD, MS, OTR, FAOTA is the Interim Program Director of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program and the Director of Pre-Doctoral Residency & Fieldwork in the Department of Occupational Therapy as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Christine has been active in the healthcare industry as a clinician, leader, manager, and Medicare consultant for 28 years specializing in long term care and outpatient services. She has held elected and volunteer leadership positions with both the state and national occupational therapy associations and presented regionally and nationally on Medicare rules, regulations, and health care reform.
- Non Member (until 12/31/2030) $99.00
- Member (until 12/31/2030) $0.00
Managing Post-intensive Care Syndrome in Your Clinic
Session Description:
Five million adults of all ages are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) each year, and up to 80% of survivors will experience physical problems such as weakness, impaired ambulation, and reduced performance of activities of daily living, following discharge from a hospital. These problems are due to post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)—a constellation of physical, cognitive, and psychological problems that persist for months and years after hospitalization. Physical therapists in community-based settings are ideal health care professionals to manage the rehabilitation of patients with PICS. This course will prepare physical therapists to recognize the unique presentation of individuals with PICS, and provide evidence-based interventions aimed at returning people with PICS to their prior level of function. This course will also be presented with strategies for educating referring health care professionals (eg, physicians, nurse practitioners) about the value of including referrals to physical therapists for treatment to improve physical performance and quality of life when patients are discharged from the ICU and hospital.
Meet the Speakers:
James Smith, PT, DPT, is professor of physical therapy at Utica College in New York. He is a former president of the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and he served on the National Quality Forum’s Patient Safety - Complications Steering Committee. He is principal investigator of a team developing the clinical practice guideline for the Identification and Evaluation of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, with support from APTA and the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.
Patricia J. Ohtake, PT, PhD, is assistant vice president for Interprofessional Education and associate professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University at Buffalo. She conducts research focusing on the use of simulation for physical therapist student education and interprofessional education. She is a past senior editorial board member for Physical Therapy (PTJ). In 2000, she received APTA’s Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Faculty Member. She has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, 2 book chapters, and is a consistent presenter at chapter, national, and international conferences. She is a member of a team developing the clinical practice guideline for the Identification and Evaluation of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, with support from APTA and the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.
- Non Member (until 12/31/2030) $169.00
- Member (until 12/31/2030) $99.00
Overview of Prone Positioning - Why It Works and Lessons Learned
This course is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management and the APTA Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management. It is free to the profession.
This session was recorded on May 9, 2020
COVID-19 presents through fever, dyspnea, and acute respiratory symptoms. In some patients, COVID-19 causes pulmonary edema, sepsis, multi-organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Due to the ARDS clinical presentation, prone positioning may be used for improving ventilation and survivorship. Prone positioning requires a team approach. Physical therapists play an integral role from positioning to minimizing pressure injuries and neuromusculoskeletal impairments, educating the team regarding body mechanics with transfers and educating patients/family members regarding the pathophysiology. This webinar provides an overview of the evidence and why prone positioning is effective; successful implementation of proning protocols for patients intubated or awake; and lessons learned.
Meet our Presenters
Katie Brito PT, DPT Dr. Brito has been practicing for 2 years at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital after graduating from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in April 2018. She is currently the cardiovascular and pulmonary lead, and her primary areas of focus and practice include ICU rehab, care of the complex and multi-admission cardiovascular/pulmonary patient, and acute vestibular evaluation and differential diagnosis. She is active is advocacy and since 2019 has served as a district representative for the Northern District to the Illinois Physical Therapy Association State Assembly. Dr. Brito is an active member in the Academy of Acute Care of Physical Therapy (ACCPT) on the Practice Committee and is currently assisting in several upcoming projects including the collaborative compilation of resources, webinars, research for the AACPT weekly PT/PTA COVID19 Resource Guide. Katie is also a member of the Cardiovascular & Pulmonary section and has assisted in reviewing/appraising journal articles for the future updates to the VTE CPG.
Meghan Lahart Gushurst PT, DPT is a level 3 Physical Therapist at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Dr. Gushurst has been a physical therapist for 10 years and primarily has worked in the ICU with cardiovascular and pulmonary patients. She earned her Board certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in 2014 and has presented numerous times at CSM. Dr. Gushurst is an active member in the APTA and Cardiopulmonary Section and also is adjunct faculty for cardiopulmonary courses at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Tricia Healy PT, DPT A graduate of Simmons University’s physical therapy clinical doctorate program, Dr. Tricia Healy began her acute care practice at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2000. She currently works at University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, MA, a level 1 Trauma center. She has been involved in APTA of Massachusetts (APTAMA) since 2003 as a Central district assembly representative. Dr. Healy has served on the chapter’s board of directors and organized PT Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. She is currently the Chairperson of the APTAMA Nominating Committee. Tricia is also an active member of the Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee.
Dr. Stephanie Woelfel PT, DPT, CWS is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and holds a dual faculty appointment in the Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California (USC). She is the Director of Physical Therapy -- Hospital Outpatient Services at Keck Medical Center of USC. She is also the primary physical therapist in the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) clinic of USC.Her wound care career has spanned over 20 years in both short and long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient, home care and consulting. Stephanie is active in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and serves as the current Vice President of the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management. She also represents the APTA on the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP).
Productivity vs. Value: Why We Need to Change the Discussion, and How YOU Can!
Value. What is it? How do acute care physical therapists provide value for patients when the discussion is all about productivity and volume? How do we change the ideology from productivity or volume to value? Acute physical therapy value should be measured by the outcomes produced for the patient divided by the cost of services to produce those outcomes. Although acute physical therapy practice continues to progress toward consistent outcome measurement, widespread application of outcomes to quantify value is rare. This lack of a quantifiable measurement leaves acute care practitioners’ value measured primarily in terms of how many units or visits a therapist can code in a certain number of hours worked. Unfortunately, quantities of units or visits are not synonymous with value. The purpose of this course is to provide the science, theory and practical tools to shift the discussion from productivity to a value based practice. The speakers developed a way to measure value in acute practice using readily available data and called it the Therapy Value Quotient. They piloted the measurement in a large hospital system. The speakers will discuss the published Therapy Value Quotient tool and review a case study demonstrating its promising application.
Brian Hull, PT, DPT,MBA is the Director of Rehabilitation for Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation overseeing Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, and Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. He works with the system leadership to help develop and implement the strategic planning and operations for the Baylor Hospital therapy programs. Dr. Hull received his Physical Therapy degree from Bradley University, his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of New England. He has served in various leadership roles within Baylor for more than13 years and various community service leadership roles with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for the last 8 years. Dr. Hull has published, taught graduate classes, and presented nationally on various leadership topics including strategic planning, healthcare reform, finance, negotiation, and organizational behavior.
Cathy Thut, PT, DPT, MBA is a former Director of Rehab Services at Baylor Scott and White - Irving, a 200 bed community hospital and Baylor Scott and White-Grapevine. Currently she is a partner in Sanus Vivere Health and Wellness – a home based health and wellness practice. Dr. Thut received her BS-Biology from Lubbock Christian University, physical therapy degree from University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, MBA-Finance from West Texas A and M University, and Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of New England. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association having served on both the Finance Committee and the Risk Management Committee. Dr. Thut has been an invited lecturer at Southwestern Medical School, Texas Woman’s University. She has been a practicing Physical Therapist for over 35 years.
Putting the Value Back in Lab Results
This module is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management. It is free to the profession.
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.
Meet our Presenters
Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT 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 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 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 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.
Tips on Drips- Integrating ICU Pharmacology into PT practice
This module is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management, and is free to the profession.
Physical Therapy in the intensive care unit has become the standard of care for this fragile population of patients. As an essential member of the critical care team, Physical therapists should have an understanding of the common medications these patients will be receiving so that both desired and side effects can be properly integrated into the plan of care. This course will discuss the pharmacotherapeutics of common ICU drip medications as well as strategies to assist with clinical decision making in this complex care environment.
Meet our Presenters
Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT 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 is an Assistant Clinical Professor with the University of Central Florida Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; teaching cardiopulmonary physical therapy, 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 was 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.
Kathy Swanick, PT, DPT, OCS is on Faculty and Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers Florida and currently serves as an instructor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and with the Le Health System at Health Park Hospital where she works in acute care and critical care. She is originally from upstate New York where she was actively engaged in orthopedic clinical practice while teaching in the Physical therapy program at the Sage Colleges in Troy, New York. She received her BS in Physical Therapy and Biology from Russell Sage College and her MS in Community Health Education. She completed her DPT in 2005. Her primary areas of clinical practice have included acute care, outpatient private practice, and home care. She received her Board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS in 2003 and renewed her OCS in 2013. She has been active in the APTA and FPTA and has served as a district officer, Representative to the APTA House of Delegates, Regional Director and Secretary of the Florida Physical therapy Association and 2 terms as FPTA President. She is currently serving as Director of Advocacy on the FPTA Board of Directors, and as a member of the APTA PPAC ( Public Policy and Advocacy Committee) She is a member of the APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee and co author of the revised Lab values Manual and competency.
COVID 19 Bundle - Acute Care Management
This bundle will offer many modules based on the COVID19 pandemic specific to the in-hospital perspective.
HPA The Catalyst (The Section on Health Policy and Administration) and AACPT (The Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy) have collaborated on 5 webinars so far (as of April 22, 2020) and have been joined by other sections for certain webinars. Within the recording documents you can see who collaborated by looking at the logos at the top.
This entire bundle is free for the profession. Each module will allow for some CEUs, but NO CEUs are offered for the bundle overall.
Please check back often as we will add modules as we build and launch new relevant topics
Post-Acute Covid-19 Exercise and Rehabilitation (PACER) Project
The sheer number of cases and novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 (WHO, 2020), presents a challenge to physical therapy practitioners. Physical therapy practitioners will be presented with a volume of clients with significant cardiovascular and pulmonary impairments with which they might not be proficient. The PACER Project is an initiative of multiple APTA Sections & Academies to be a resource to increase practitioner proficiency in cardiovascular and pulmonary (CVP) physical therapy, including critical illness sequelae. Additionally, the clients with COVID-19 most likely to need physical therapy management are those who are elderly and/or possess chronic health issues, such as diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. These educational courses are intended to educate physical therapy and other rehabilitation clinicians. This education is not to take place of individual institutional competency training. The PACER Project coordinators urge institutions who lack the needed internal CVP competencies to consider seeking consultation by an ABPTS certified CCS, experienced acute/critical care PT, or similarly trained practitioner (live or virtual) Find a Specialist
CCS = American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Board Certified Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Clinical Specialist
GCS = American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Arterial Blood Gasses
Overview: Utilizing the AACPT Lab Values Interpretation Resource, the speakers will present the clinical implications of blood gasses and how to make modifications to the plan of care.
Description: Acute Care physical therapists encounter blood gas results, which they are required to interpret. The result from a blood gas sample can provide reliable data on the state of a patient’s acid-base balance and oxygen levels. This information can be critical in determining appropriateness of physical therapy and exercise dosage. The purpose of this course will provide an overview of blood gas interpretation and how they influence the physical therapy plan of care. Key Words: acute care, blood gas, interpretation
COVID 19 Bundle - Acute Care Management
This bundle will offer many modules based on the COVID19 pandemic specific to the in-hospital perspective.
HPA The Catalyst (The Section on Health Policy and Administration) and AACPT (The Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy) have collaborated on 5 webinars so far (as of April 22, 2020) and have been joined by other sections for certain webinars. Within the recording documents you can see who collaborated by looking at the logos at the top.
This entire bundle is free for the profession. Each module will allow for some CEUs, but NO CEUs are offered for the bundle overall.
Please check back often as we will add modules as we build and launch new relevant topics
From Bedside to Webside: Academic and Clinical Teaching of Acute Care Physical Therapy in the COVID Era Learning Center Course
COVID-19 has altered our usual approaches to teaching physical therapist and physical therapist assistant students both academically and clinically. This webinar is designed to explore the challenges faced in developing student competence in acute care physical therapy through both academic teaching and clinical education. The panel will discuss strategies for academic faculty to facilitate knowledge and skill for practice in acute care settings given the extensive transition to virtual teaching and limited or absent integrated clinical experiences. Collaboration between academic and clinical partners in creating virtual clinical learning experiences will be highlighted. Challenges in acute care clinical education experiences will be discussed from the perspective of the DCE, SCCE and hospital administration including the ability of sites to accept students during COVID, implications of social distancing and PPE requirements, and best practices to foster students’ achievement of safety and competence.
Functional Outcome Measures in Post-Acute Care: They are Here!
Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy professionals have long desired to have consistent functional measures that could begin to quantify the value of rehabilitation services provided to patients treated in skilled nursing facilities, long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has developed and finalized measures to do just that. This webinar will describe the measures, define the data elements included in the measures of self-care and mobility, and share important timelines therapists should be aware of. Data finally has the potential to be compared across the post-acute care settings. It will be important for therapists not only to understand the measures and their component elements, but also to insure their processes for collecting data are reliable and accurate.
Meet our Speakers
Ellen R. Strunk, PT, MS, has worked in various roles and settings as clinician and manager and director. Presently, she is owner of Rehab Resources & Consulting, Inc, a company providing continuing education and consulting services for postacute care settings. For the past 7 years, she has specialized in helping clients understand and navigate CMS regulations for postacute care settings, as well as how to prepare for the transition to a value-based system.
She is a board-certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy and member of APTA’s Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy, Home Health Section, APTA, and Health Policy and Administration Section, APTA. She serves as president of the Alabama Physical Therapy Association and chair of its Practice and Reimbursement committee. She is a member of the American Health Care Association, where over the last 3 years she has been a part of a therapy work group to develop a national quality measure for rehabilitation.
Christine Kroll, OTD, MS, OTR, FAOTA is the Interim Program Director of the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program and the Director of Pre-Doctoral Residency & Fieldwork in the Department of Occupational Therapy as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Indiana University at Indianapolis (IUPUI). Christine has been active in the healthcare industry as a clinician, leader, manager, and Medicare consultant for 28 years specializing in long term care and outpatient services. She has held elected and volunteer leadership positions with both the state and national occupational therapy associations and presented regionally and nationally on Medicare rules, regulations, and health care reform.
- Non Member (until 12/31/2030) $99.00
- Member (until 12/31/2030) $0.00
Managing Post-intensive Care Syndrome in Your Clinic
Session Description:
Five million adults of all ages are admitted to intensive care units (ICU) each year, and up to 80% of survivors will experience physical problems such as weakness, impaired ambulation, and reduced performance of activities of daily living, following discharge from a hospital. These problems are due to post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)—a constellation of physical, cognitive, and psychological problems that persist for months and years after hospitalization. Physical therapists in community-based settings are ideal health care professionals to manage the rehabilitation of patients with PICS. This course will prepare physical therapists to recognize the unique presentation of individuals with PICS, and provide evidence-based interventions aimed at returning people with PICS to their prior level of function. This course will also be presented with strategies for educating referring health care professionals (eg, physicians, nurse practitioners) about the value of including referrals to physical therapists for treatment to improve physical performance and quality of life when patients are discharged from the ICU and hospital.
Meet the Speakers:
James Smith, PT, DPT, is professor of physical therapy at Utica College in New York. He is a former president of the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy, a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and he served on the National Quality Forum’s Patient Safety - Complications Steering Committee. He is principal investigator of a team developing the clinical practice guideline for the Identification and Evaluation of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, with support from APTA and the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.
Patricia J. Ohtake, PT, PhD, is assistant vice president for Interprofessional Education and associate professor in the Physical Therapy Program at the University at Buffalo. She conducts research focusing on the use of simulation for physical therapist student education and interprofessional education. She is a past senior editorial board member for Physical Therapy (PTJ). In 2000, she received APTA’s Margaret L. Moore Award for Outstanding New Faculty Member. She has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, 2 book chapters, and is a consistent presenter at chapter, national, and international conferences. She is a member of a team developing the clinical practice guideline for the Identification and Evaluation of Post-Intensive Care Syndrome, with support from APTA and the Academy of Acute Care Physical Therapy.
- Non Member (until 12/31/2030) $169.00
- Member (until 12/31/2030) $99.00
Overview of Prone Positioning - Why It Works and Lessons Learned
This course is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management and the APTA Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology and Wound Management. It is free to the profession.
This session was recorded on May 9, 2020
COVID-19 presents through fever, dyspnea, and acute respiratory symptoms. In some patients, COVID-19 causes pulmonary edema, sepsis, multi-organ failure, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Due to the ARDS clinical presentation, prone positioning may be used for improving ventilation and survivorship. Prone positioning requires a team approach. Physical therapists play an integral role from positioning to minimizing pressure injuries and neuromusculoskeletal impairments, educating the team regarding body mechanics with transfers and educating patients/family members regarding the pathophysiology. This webinar provides an overview of the evidence and why prone positioning is effective; successful implementation of proning protocols for patients intubated or awake; and lessons learned.
Meet our Presenters
Katie Brito PT, DPT Dr. Brito has been practicing for 2 years at Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital after graduating from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in April 2018. She is currently the cardiovascular and pulmonary lead, and her primary areas of focus and practice include ICU rehab, care of the complex and multi-admission cardiovascular/pulmonary patient, and acute vestibular evaluation and differential diagnosis. She is active is advocacy and since 2019 has served as a district representative for the Northern District to the Illinois Physical Therapy Association State Assembly. Dr. Brito is an active member in the Academy of Acute Care of Physical Therapy (ACCPT) on the Practice Committee and is currently assisting in several upcoming projects including the collaborative compilation of resources, webinars, research for the AACPT weekly PT/PTA COVID19 Resource Guide. Katie is also a member of the Cardiovascular & Pulmonary section and has assisted in reviewing/appraising journal articles for the future updates to the VTE CPG.
Meghan Lahart Gushurst PT, DPT is a level 3 Physical Therapist at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Dr. Gushurst has been a physical therapist for 10 years and primarily has worked in the ICU with cardiovascular and pulmonary patients. She earned her Board certification in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in 2014 and has presented numerous times at CSM. Dr. Gushurst is an active member in the APTA and Cardiopulmonary Section and also is adjunct faculty for cardiopulmonary courses at Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences.
Tricia Healy PT, DPT A graduate of Simmons University’s physical therapy clinical doctorate program, Dr. Tricia Healy began her acute care practice at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2000. She currently works at University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester, MA, a level 1 Trauma center. She has been involved in APTA of Massachusetts (APTAMA) since 2003 as a Central district assembly representative. Dr. Healy has served on the chapter’s board of directors and organized PT Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. She is currently the Chairperson of the APTAMA Nominating Committee. Tricia is also an active member of the Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee.
Dr. Stephanie Woelfel PT, DPT, CWS is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and holds a dual faculty appointment in the Department of Surgery at the University of Southern California (USC). She is the Director of Physical Therapy -- Hospital Outpatient Services at Keck Medical Center of USC. She is also the primary physical therapist in the Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) clinic of USC.Her wound care career has spanned over 20 years in both short and long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient, home care and consulting. Stephanie is active in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and serves as the current Vice President of the Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology & Wound Management. She also represents the APTA on the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP).
Post-Acute Covid-19 Exercise and Rehabilitation (PACER) Project
The sheer number of cases and novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing the coronavirus disease known as COVID-19 (WHO, 2020), presents a challenge to physical therapy practitioners. Physical therapy practitioners will be presented with a volume of clients with significant cardiovascular and pulmonary impairments with which they might not be proficient. The PACER Project is an initiative of multiple APTA Sections & Academies to be a resource to increase practitioner proficiency in cardiovascular and pulmonary (CVP) physical therapy, including critical illness sequelae. Additionally, the clients with COVID-19 most likely to need physical therapy management are those who are elderly and/or possess chronic health issues, such as diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. These educational courses are intended to educate physical therapy and other rehabilitation clinicians. This education is not to take place of individual institutional competency training. The PACER Project coordinators urge institutions who lack the needed internal CVP competencies to consider seeking consultation by an ABPTS certified CCS, experienced acute/critical care PT, or similarly trained practitioner (live or virtual) Find a Specialist
CCS = American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Board Certified Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Clinical Specialist
GCS = American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Productivity vs. Value: Why We Need to Change the Discussion, and How YOU Can!
Value. What is it? How do acute care physical therapists provide value for patients when the discussion is all about productivity and volume? How do we change the ideology from productivity or volume to value? Acute physical therapy value should be measured by the outcomes produced for the patient divided by the cost of services to produce those outcomes. Although acute physical therapy practice continues to progress toward consistent outcome measurement, widespread application of outcomes to quantify value is rare. This lack of a quantifiable measurement leaves acute care practitioners’ value measured primarily in terms of how many units or visits a therapist can code in a certain number of hours worked. Unfortunately, quantities of units or visits are not synonymous with value. The purpose of this course is to provide the science, theory and practical tools to shift the discussion from productivity to a value based practice. The speakers developed a way to measure value in acute practice using readily available data and called it the Therapy Value Quotient. They piloted the measurement in a large hospital system. The speakers will discuss the published Therapy Value Quotient tool and review a case study demonstrating its promising application.
Brian Hull, PT, DPT,MBA is the Director of Rehabilitation for Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation overseeing Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Baylor Sammons Cancer Center, and Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie. He works with the system leadership to help develop and implement the strategic planning and operations for the Baylor Hospital therapy programs. Dr. Hull received his Physical Therapy degree from Bradley University, his MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas, and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of New England. He has served in various leadership roles within Baylor for more than13 years and various community service leadership roles with the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas for the last 8 years. Dr. Hull has published, taught graduate classes, and presented nationally on various leadership topics including strategic planning, healthcare reform, finance, negotiation, and organizational behavior.
Cathy Thut, PT, DPT, MBA is a former Director of Rehab Services at Baylor Scott and White - Irving, a 200 bed community hospital and Baylor Scott and White-Grapevine. Currently she is a partner in Sanus Vivere Health and Wellness – a home based health and wellness practice. Dr. Thut received her BS-Biology from Lubbock Christian University, physical therapy degree from University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston, MBA-Finance from West Texas A and M University, and Doctor of Physical Therapy from University of New England. She is an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association having served on both the Finance Committee and the Risk Management Committee. Dr. Thut has been an invited lecturer at Southwestern Medical School, Texas Woman’s University. She has been a practicing Physical Therapist for over 35 years.
Putting the Value Back in Lab Results
This module is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management. It is free to the profession.
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.
Meet our Presenters
Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT 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 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 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 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.
Tips on Drips- Integrating ICU Pharmacology into PT practice
This module is presented by the Academy of Acute Care Management, and is free to the profession.
Physical Therapy in the intensive care unit has become the standard of care for this fragile population of patients. As an essential member of the critical care team, Physical therapists should have an understanding of the common medications these patients will be receiving so that both desired and side effects can be properly integrated into the plan of care. This course will discuss the pharmacotherapeutics of common ICU drip medications as well as strategies to assist with clinical decision making in this complex care environment.
Meet our Presenters
Jamie Dyson, PT, DPT 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 is an Assistant Clinical Professor with the University of Central Florida Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program; teaching cardiopulmonary physical therapy, 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 was 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.
Kathy Swanick, PT, DPT, OCS is on Faculty and Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers Florida and currently serves as an instructor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and with the Le Health System at Health Park Hospital where she works in acute care and critical care. She is originally from upstate New York where she was actively engaged in orthopedic clinical practice while teaching in the Physical therapy program at the Sage Colleges in Troy, New York. She received her BS in Physical Therapy and Biology from Russell Sage College and her MS in Community Health Education. She completed her DPT in 2005. Her primary areas of clinical practice have included acute care, outpatient private practice, and home care. She received her Board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS in 2003 and renewed her OCS in 2013. She has been active in the APTA and FPTA and has served as a district officer, Representative to the APTA House of Delegates, Regional Director and Secretary of the Florida Physical therapy Association and 2 terms as FPTA President. She is currently serving as Director of Advocacy on the FPTA Board of Directors, and as a member of the APTA PPAC ( Public Policy and Advocacy Committee) She is a member of the APTA Academy of Acute Care Practice Committee and co author of the revised Lab values Manual and competency.
