Physical therapy role in an emergency department

INTRODUCTION:

Physical therapy in the hospital emergency room is a growing area of practice in the physiotherapy profession. Physical therapists in the emergency room can help patients start on the road to recovery early in the injury process, possibly improving initial functional mobility and overall outcomes. Physical therapists are consulted by the treating Emergency department physician to assist in the evaluation and treatment of a number of movement and functional disorders, such as low back pain, peripheral vertigo, and various gait disturbances. Patients receiving Emergency department physical therapy (ED PT) benefit from the physical therapist’s expertise in Musculoskeletal and vestibular conditions and from the individualized attention provided in a typical bedside evaluation and treatment session, which includes education on expected symptom trajectory, recommendations for activity modulation, and facilitated outpatient follow-up (2). As part the emergency department team, physical therapists have the opportunity to collaborate in the care of patients with a wide range of acute and chronic problems coming from the neuromusculoskeletal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and integumentary systems. The physical therapist in the ED serves a critical role in screening for appropriateness of care, consultation with other practitioner, and in the direct care of patients (3)