WE LOVE OUR THERAPISTS! AND, WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT LEARNING! Throughout the month of February, we are providing Learning “Oppties”. To learn more about the February Learning “Oppties” program, please read the introductory articleposted January 31. Today’s “Oppties” challenge is related to our culture of discipline. We seek to hire the “Right” people. The right people are deeply motivated by the inner drive to do GREAT work.
In our industry, great work means working with our patients to help them achieve their highest possible level of function so that, in many cases, they can return to their home or community living in a safe and effective manner. In other cases, some of our patients live with us in the long-term care portion of our Skilled Nursing Facilities and their highest possible level of function may be for them to complete their ADLs or walk to the dining room with assistance. In addition to providing great clinical care to our patients and residents, doing GREAT work means completing our work in a productive and thorough manner. To win an “OPPTIES” prize, share with us your secrets for completing each day in a productive and thorough manner. Thank you for participating in Learning “OPPTIES”.
I start my morning with getting my patient’s up and dressed. I work on feeding with my patient’s that need it. This is so I would have any down time while they are eating breakfast. Because it Charro Celebration I incorporate the decorating for the float in to my session. Toward the end of the day I work on bed mobility for the afternoon knaps as well as working with the patients on the pain management program with thier pain management since they have been up all day.
Yvette, what a great treatment day. You are working with your patients in a way that is interesting and meaningful to them by incorporating current events (like Charro Celebration), as well as real life tasks (dressing and feeding). By incorporating the patient needs and schedules into your treatment day, you are able to work with things that are meaningful in the patient’s day. Thank you so much for sharing this information and thank you for participating in Learning “Oppties”. Deb Bielek, Therapy Resource
I maintaine good communication with the CNAs/nurses in regards to pt’s who like to get up early. The CNAs are great about having pt’s ready early in the morning to begin therapy so when I arrive to work a pt. is ready to go into the gym to start therapy. My morning always start with getting pts dressed, and taking them to the gym to eat breakfast and educating my pts with adaptive equipment and positioning. Once, that part of the morning is over we go over grooming and the importance of maintaining good hygiene.
Hi, Xio. THank you so much for sharing your strategies for organizing your day and thank you for participating in Learning “Oppties”. I like how you are incorporating the patient’s daily routines into the treatment planning. It probably helps keep everyone positively engaged in the therapy. Thank you, again, for your participation. Deb Bielek, Therapy Resource
I start my morning by walking my pt’s to the breakfast area. If I’am not walking my pt and I’am working on w/c mobility. That’s my strategy every morning to start a productive day and maintain it. After breakfast some of my pt’s enjoy going outside to the therapeutic garden and taking short walks.
Josy, thank you so much for sharing your strategy for getting started on a productive day. I like how you incorporate your therapeutic garden into the treatment sessions. Thank you for participating in Learning “Oppties”. Deb Bielek, Therapy Resource
OOOOHH THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO STAY PRODUCTIVE:
-STAY FOCUSED
-FOLLOW A PRE-PLANNED LIST
-ORGANIZE NON BILLABLE TIME TO NON THERAPISTS IE; RNA, REHAB TECHS (IF YOU HAVE ONE), OR YOUR DOR.
-HAVE A CONTINGENCY BACK UP PLAN PER DAY IF POSSIBLE
-PT.’S ARE HUMAN AND JUST ONE REFUSAL, OR APPOINTMENT YOU WEREN’T AWARE OF, OR PT. BEING ILL WILL ALTER THE DAY AND IT’S EFFICIENCY.
-BILL FOR ALL THAT YOU DO THAT IS BILLABLE-WE’VE BEEN USING STOPWATCHES FOR YEARS.
-POINT OF SERVICE HAS BEEN OF SOME HELP BUT NOT REALISTIC IN EVERY ASPECT OF AN ot OR pt TX.
-EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHARGE NURSES AND THE AWESOME CNA’S RE; DAILY SCHEDULES THAT INCLUDE PATIENTS APPOINTMENTS FOR THAT DAY, VERY HELPFUL!!
-REMEMBER TO BREATHE!!!
Hi, Joni. Great feedback on how to stay productive! What do you use for your “pre-planned list”? Are you using the assignment board or the scheduler in ROX? How does your team like using stop watches? Thank you so much for your feedback. I especially like, “Remember to Breathe!!!!” Thank you, again, for your participation in Learning “Oppties”. Deb Bielek, Therapy Resource
Hi Deb,
My two fulltime staff like it a lot. It holds us accountable. My other four staff are all per diem are not in the sam egroove yet.
We use the ROX scheduler, assignment board, and the daily therapy schedule.
We post in pt. room every evening for individual appointments and I personally review with the pt. the plan for the next day. Our nurses station gets a list “daily therapy schedule” from ROX each night for the next day so when the CNA’s and nurses arrive they can plan their day as well.
I also keep my own personal list and check things off daily.
Joni,
Thank you so much for participating in Learning “Oppties”. I love your ideas for enhancing your personal productivity and it sounds like you are incorporating some of the tools in Rehab Optima with your team. Thank you for sharing your ideas and thank you, again, for your participation. You have been entered to win an “Opptie” award. Deb Bielek, Therapy Resource
I try and “touch base” with my Pt’s before breakfast, ask how they’re doing, expecting friends or family and inquire about any appoitments for the day. I ask them would they prefer an AM or PM appt then I schedule accordingly. I find this method gives the Pt a choice on when they would like to work, and I can better schedule my day to meet their needs.