Standard

PTA 102 - Orientation to Physical Therapy and Patient Care Techniques

Course Description

Facilitates the adaptation of psycho-social principles in the development of self-understanding and communication with patients, families, the public, and other health teams. Develops skills in telephone etiquette, scheduling patients, patient charges, explanation of methods of reimbursement, importance of incidence report, draping patients, body mechanics, transfers, and vital signs. Topics include: documentation, basic administrative skills, teaching and learning principles, and basic patient care skills.

Competency Areas		Hours
Documentation		Class	4
Basic Administrative Skills		D. Lab	1
Teaching and Learning Principles		P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Basic Patient Care Skills		Credit	4
Prerequisite:	AHS 109, PTA 101
Corequisite:

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
DOCUMENTATION		5	0	0
Essentials	List the essential components of patient documentation.
	Explain the importance of documentation.
	Describe the essential components of patient documentation.
	Explain the importance of an incident report.
Medical record keeping	Discuss the SOAP (subjective, objective, assessment, and plan) format for note writing.
	Describe the problem oriented medical record (POMR) method of record keeping.
	List advantages of the POMR method of record keeping.
BASIC ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS		5	2	0
Primary concepts	Apply technical institute program, APTA, and clinical site policies and procedures for physical therapy.
	Define quality assurance.
	Identify the importance of quality assurance and the methods by which it is achieved.
	Relate the importance of time management and planning in the routine of a physical therapy department.
	Develop effective telephone communication skills.
	Use appropriate telephone etiquette.
	Describe methods of reimbursement for treatment services.
	Demonstrate skill in scheduling patients for treatment appointments.
TEACHING AND LEARNING PRINCIPLES		10	2	0
Psycho-social principles	Apply psycho-social principles in self- understanding and in developing communication with patients' families, the public, and other health team members.
	Demonstrate patient/family teaching skills.
BASIC PATIENT CARE SKILLS		20	6	0
Draping and positioning	Discuss the purpose of draping.
	Explain the purpose of wheelchair and bed positioning.
	List equipment which might be necessary for effective positioning.
	Demonstrate and give rationale for correct bed positioning while supine, prone, and side lying.
	List areas which are prone to decubitus ulcers.
Body mechanics	Define body mechanics and how it relates to physical therapy practice.
	Explain the importance of posture in good body mechanics.
	Discuss how good body mechanics may help prevent low back pain.
	Demonstrate and apply proper body mechanics in daily activities.
	Identify proper and poor body mechanics.
Transfers	Describe the types of transfers and explain rationale for each transfer: three man transfer two man lift; standing pivot transfer and sliding board transfer.
	Demonstrate all of the above transfer techniques safely and effectively.
	Describe levels of assistance required for standing pivot transfer and sliding board transfer.
Vital signs	Demonstrate skills in monitoring pulse, temperature, respirations, and blood pressure.
	Discuss physiology, characteristics, and normal values of pulse rate.
	List factors that increase and decrease pulse rate.
	Define body temperature and the effects of fever and hypothermia.
	List methods of increasing and decreasing body temperature.
	Identify normal values and variations of body temperature.
	List characteristics and normal values of normal respirations.
	Explain the factors which increase and decrease respirations.
	Describe abnormal respirations.
	Identify normal values of blood pressure.
	Explain variations in blood pressure.
	Explain the factors which increase and decrease blood pressure.
Gait devices	Demonstrate proper gait sequence for each device available.
	Demonstrate guarding techniques.
	Describe the types of gait devices available.
	Demonstrate measuring and fitting techniques of available gait devices.

Suggested Resources

Books

Minor, M. A., & Minor, S. D. (1989). Patient care skills: Positioning, transfers, range of motion, ambulation (2nd ed.). East Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange.

O'Sullivan, S. B., & Schmitz, T. J. (1988). Physical rehabilitation: Assessment and treatment (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.