Physical therapists working with acute inpatients strive to improve their mobility and to prepare them for discharge from the hospital. Inpatients with a wide variety of health concerns benefit from physical therapy. The inpatient areas in which physical therapists work, include burns, cardiac, digestive diseases, general medicine, neonatology, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, orthopedics, psychiatry, rheumatology, transplant, and trauma.

Physical therapists evaluate patients and work as part of a team to determine appropriate discharge plans including home, inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing, and outpatient services.

Evaluation procedures include:

• Range of Motion
• Strength
• Sensation/Pain
• Bed Mobility
• Transfers
• Gait
• Balance
• Coordination
• Exercise Tolerance
• Prosthetic Requirements
• Assistive and Adaptive Equipment Requirements

Physical therapists use the findings of their evaluation to determine appropriate interventions and develop a treatment plan to improve patient’s mobility and functional skills.

Interventions include:

• Therapeutic Exercise
• Balance Training
• Mobility Training
• Gait Training
• Patient and Family/Caregiver Education

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