Congratulations – Winner of Free CEU course

NAME THAT COURSE CONTEST!

Thank you to all the therapists from our community who offered such great title suggestions for our new upcoming lab intensive acute care course offered by internationally respected Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist Komal Deokule, PT, MSc.PT, CCS, MCSP, MPNZ, MIAP

We used all your suggestions and in collaboration with Komal the final title is:

Management of Acutely Ill Patients: An Evidence Based Approach from a Cardiopulmonary Perspective

Congratulations to Doreen the winner of our random drawing. She receives a free spot in a course of her choosing.

This course gives an evidence based clinical approach to the cardiopulmonary perspective of assessment and management of acutely-ill patients (of any diagnosis) across the continuum of care. Therapists working in different settings are frequently challenged with complex patients with cardiopulmonary diagnoses or multiple systemic co-morbidities with effects on the cardiopulmonary system. This course will empower the therapist with assessment tools and understanding of the pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary conditions, to modify their therapy accordingly. The course content includes cardiopulmonary physical examination including auscultation, ABG analysis, CXR etc, exercise testing and prescription with strong emphasis on outcome measures and documenting effectiveness of therapy. Pulmonary interventions taught in this course are positioning, breathing techniques, chest clearance techniques and adjuncts of respiratory therapy like use of flutter, acapella etc.

Please click here for full course details, for a brochure and to register for one of the sessions offered

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The Benefits of Physical Therapy During Breast Cancer Treatment

We would like to share this article:

NORWELL, Mass., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-iReach/ — Physical Therapy and Wellness News . . .

Breast cancer treatment can often include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, and while these methods are necessary for healing, they can still cause some adverse side effects that leave an impact on the patient’s function long after treatment ends.  Fortunately, some of these resulting symptoms can be treated effectively with physical therapy, helping to improve the patient’s quality of life.  Some of the most common issues seen in physical therapy after breast cancer treatment are a decrease in shoulder range of motion and strength on the surgical side, reduced aerobic capacity, and lymphedema. 

Please click here for full article

Due to the increasing role of physical and occupational therapy in working with cancer survivorship, we have developed a series of courses for 2014 to help new and seasoned therapists advance their skills.

Evidence Based Cancer Rehabilitation and it’s Role in Cancer Survivorship
Lisa VanHoose. PhD, PR, CLT-LANA, CKTP

Advances in the medical management of cancer have steadily increased survival rates. Research shows that most cancer survivors will have at least one physical side effect of cancer treatment, including fatigue, neuropathy, muscle weakness, and balance deficits. This interactive course will provide evidence-based tools and strategies for the care of patients with diverse cancer types across the cancer continuum. The course will also address functional outcome measures and reimbursement concerns. Participants will apply the latest knowledge about pathology and medical management of cancer to the therapy program. Participants will also learn to efficiently utilize the multiple internet resources to develop an evidence-based rehabilitation plan, while addressing current reimbursement requirements from Medicare and private insurance companies. 

July 18-19, 2014 – Kansas City, MO
October 18-19, 2014 – Freehold, NJ 

 

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Posted in: News

 

Introducing our New Faculty Member – Randy Fedoruk

Randy Fedoruk Randy Fedoruk[/caption]

We are thrilled and excited to announce to new addition to our team of faculty members: Randy Fedoruk

Randy has been practicing as a pediatric occupational therapist for over ten years.  He has experience working with infants, toddlers and school age children.  He has expertise in working with medically complex or medically fragile infants and toddlers and graduates from the NICU.  He has an extensive knowledge base and experience in conducting evaluations in early intervention programs across three states and school based evaluations in several school districts.  Randy provides intervention plans for children who have autism spectrum disorder and he creates sensory diets that can be incorporated into the children and family’s daily routines.  Randy has been an adjunct professor at Dominican College and Quinnipiac University and an Assistant Professor of Occupational therapy at University of Hartford and he has taught courses in neuroscience, splinting, assistive technology, theory or frames of reference, advanced practice skills and pediatrics.  Randy has lectured at national and international conferences.  He provides continuing education seminars and workshops to other professionals as well as mentoring and consultative services. 

Randy will be teaching a new course for us:

Intervention for the High Risk infants and Young Children (0-5):
Activites, Routines and Evidence Based Practice

August 1-2, 2014 – Baton Rouge, LA
November 15-16, 2014 – Hartford, CT

This evidence-based course is a two day interactive and dynamic workshop that will provide therapists with valuable information and tools to help address behavioral, sensory and feeding issues in the birth to five population. The course is designed for therapists at the intermediate level of practice. It will provide an overview of the top-down approach to evaluation and choice of tools to make evidence-based decisions regarding eligibility and treatment. Strategies to improve carry over and implementation of interventions within the home, community and pre-school setting will be discussed. Through small group discussions, case study presentations and interactive lessons, participants will enhance their clinical decision making skills.

Participants will be able to:
• Summarize the top down approach to evaluation using tools that can be used in early intervention and preschool
• Integrate the information gathered from interviews and tools into a comprehensive yet concise and accurate report
• Develop strategies for patient education and better carry over
• Discuss principles of evidence based practice  in treatment decisions and to integrate those decisions into treatment planning to address sensory, feeding and behavioral issues

Please contact us with any questions

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Cindy Miles Reviews APTA article: Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis – CPG

 

Post from our Faculty Member: Cindy Miles

In the winter issue of Pediatric Physical Therapy 2013;25:348–394; the APTA – Section on Pediatrics published Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: an Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG).

Based on a systematic review of the literature the CPG offers the pediatric therapist applicable research related to evaluation, intervention and follow-up of infants with a diagnosis of torticollis. Sixteen action statements, a referral pathway and a severity classification guide the pediatric clinician’s decision making process. I would recommend that all clinicians treating infants and children with a diagnosis of torticollis review the guidelines and begin to incorporate the recommendations and severity classifications. 

Are you finding the guidelines helpful in your practice?  Are there any aspects that you disagree with?

 

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Torticollis Calipers Anyone?

Annie Posts:

DEAR ERI COMMUNITY:

Hello! I am looking for some help. I am a pediatric physical therapist who treats a moderate amount of patients who have torticollis, some of which have plagiocephaly. I am looking for sliding calipers to measure head shape to assess the severity of plagiocephaly. Does anyone know where I can purchase them? I have looked online but all I have found are the industrial ones, so I want to make sure I get an appropriate type. Thank you!!! Annie ,DPT 

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