By Tiffany Lai August 11, 2023
In the hospital, you are part of the medical team consisting of many healthcare professionals, which is responsible for treatment and safe discharge of the patient.
In the hospital, a therapist’s role is primarily acting as a movement specialist and preparing the patient for an appropriate discharge placement.
Here are members of your team, their roles, and how you can help as a therapist.
Nursing
Role in a nutshell - Responsible for a patient’s wellbeing and executing doctor’s treatment orders while in the hospital.
How you can help
- Call nursing before your session
- Check in for a good time to visit
- Ask if the patient needs pain medications before therapy
- Ask for updates on the patient’s medical status
- Be careful not to pull out any lines during the session
- Leave the room like you found it or neater
- Change the chuck on the bed if the patient gets up
- IV pole, lines plugged in
- Let nursing know what happened in your therapy session after you finish
- Give recommendations for how nursing should transfer the patient to the chair, and toilet/commode
Notify nursing about:
- Out of range vitals
- Episodes of dizziness
- Assist needed for transfers
- Your discharge and equipment recommendations
- If you discharged a patient from therapy
Case manager
Role in a nutshell - General management of the patient’s discharge. Obtaining equipment and recommended followup therapy as covered by the patient’s medical insurance.
How you can help
- Ask the case manager about the discharge plan
- Tell the case manager your discharge recommendation or any changes to the recommendation
- For difficult discharges, it may help to give your opinion on anticipated days or weeks needed for the patient to reach a certain discharge disposition
Doctor
Role in a nutshell - Medical management and treatment of the patient.
How you can help
Page the doctors about:
- Vitals out of range or orthostatic hypotension
- Barriers to patient progressing with therapy to see if medication changes can help
- Worrying medical symptoms or findings during a session
Respiratory therapist
Role in a nutshell - responsible for respiratory treatments and supplemental O2 management.
How you can help
- Ask about recommendations for titrating supplemental O2 during therapy sessions
- Inform them of SPO2 readings during activity
In the ICU, RTs may need to be present during your session with patients needing higher oxygen support (check your hospital policy).
Social Work
Role in a nutshell - Coordinating programs and services to assist patients with mental health and/or financial challenges.
How you can help
- Notify them of mental health or financial difficulties the patient expressed to you
- food insecurity, difficulty with transportation to appointments, etc.
Nursing Assistant
Role in a nutshell - assisting nursing with daily care activities of the patient.
How you can help
- Inform them of equipment and assist needed for transfers
- Assist patient with ADLs during your session
- Leave the room neat and tidy after a session