Patient Evaluation

[PT student]

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I will be doing an Acute care rotation next semester. I was curious to know how PTs do patient eval i.e taking patient's HIS, etc in acute care. Is it done in a similar way like in outpatient clinics or is it more like asking questions about the patient to his/her family member(s)?
Also is acute care pt eval more or less detailed?

Thanks 🙂

 

[Akiramay]

In acute care, you care more about what the patient needs to do to go home safely: walk with the appropriate assistive device, whether they have to go up/down stairs at home, have proper adaptive equipment at home, etc. It's not to return to their previous level of function, activity level, or work. Discharge is very important, because you will have a say in whether you believe the patient needs further therapy and will go to rehab or need OP, or if their home situation warrants the need to go to a SNF or ALF.

I'd say acute evals are less detailed than outpatient because you don't take tons of MMT and goni measures, just general strength or if the patient had a total knee/hip replacement. But you will write more about their gait, balance, etc.

My first clinical was in acute care and it was quite enjoyable and rewarding. Have fun and good luck!