Doing the basics better
The Active Cycle of Breathing is a critical tool for secretion mobilization. It can also be modified in several ways to address patient-specific needs. But the basic cycle is more than enough for most patients. The goal is to loosen secretions and get air underneath them so they can be mobilized (or coughed) out. IContinue reading “Active Cycle of Breathing (ACBT)”
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Home health care PTs are incredibly familiar with the term “homebound.” It determines whether or not we can provide home-based services to a Medicare patient. Directly from CMS… “Home health services are or were required because the individual is or was confined to the home per the criteria below (as defined in sections 1835(a) andContinue reading “H.O.M.E.B.O.U.N.D.”
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Uses of the Incentive Spirometer (IS) It is thought that the IS is used to reduce the risk of post-operative pulmonary complications (PPCs) by increasing total lung inflation, tidal volume, and vital capacity. What Does the Evidence Say?: The most current evidence DOES NOT support the use of incentive spirometry for any patient as aContinue reading “The Incentive Spirometer”
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Ok, so homemade masks are THE THING right now. You will see that even I am wearing one in my “About” picture. My wonderful PTA Melissa made this one. It has a pocket on the inside in which we have placed HEPA filters cut from the vacuum bags this doctor recommends. Some research will showContinue reading “A Homemade Mask That Might Actually Work?”
Don’t forget to read the basics of airway clearance techniques for full application of this tool! What is an Acapella Device? Provides Positive Expiratory Pressure (PEP) to exhalation Used for pulmonary hygiene to increase/maintain secretion mobility, increases sputum production Promotes increased lung volumes due to re-inflation of collapsed airways Changes focus to Exhalation instead ofContinue reading “The Oscillatory Positive Expiratory Pressure Device (Acapella)”
We know the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, anesthetists, and all those other incredible people caring for patients in the ICU and ED are risking their lives every moment. But there is another side of this pandemic: the side that stays home. Patients that stay home or are sent home still require care. Many may haveContinue reading “The Dangers of Providing Necessary Care”
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…to brush up on our respiratory intervention skills. These are my bread and butter. In the six years that I practiced in home healthcare, I learned to love these skills I never thought I’d need. And the more I grew to love them, the more I loved using them. But that means seeing the patientsContinue reading “We’ve never had a better reason…”
Hey everyone, I continue to receive numerous texts, emails, phone calls, and messages asking how the heck PTs are supposed to keep practicing amidst the trials of COVID-19. The laws are changing constantly, states are laying down practice restrictions, and payers are opening up and expanding, but amidst all that, many of us feel lost.Continue reading “The Why”
Check out this TEDx video from Alanna Shaikh, a global health expert. What do you think about Alanna’s perspective? Let me know in the comments!
We finally have enough research and enough answers and enough patients and enough confirmed cases that have received care. We can start making some recommendations and have at least a minimal amount of evidence for some guidelines on treatment. The World Confederation of Physical Therapy has published acute care guidelines for care of patients withContinue reading “The Best We Can Do (So Far)…”
Doctor B (the PT)