Submitted by Paul Xavier Suva, Clinical Resource – Touchstone 2.0-CA

The Healthcare Resort of Topeka implemented a system so that our CNAs and Nurses know what the transfer, ADL and mobility levels are upon the day of evaluations by therapy. Our therapist will complete the evaluations, fill out a quick form and submit the form to me so that I can update the care plan and tasks in PCC in real time. The patients care plan and tasks are updated based on the level of assist on the day of the therapy evaluation, then as needed when the patient progresses to the next level of assist. Therapists here at the facility will also update the CNAs and nursing staff working the current shift to allow them to pass on information at shift change. 

We started this process so that staff know more about the patient and weightbearing status. It has become standard practice and a fall prevention program as the nurses know more about the patient and how they move in bed, to chair, with a walker, assist levels with showering, dressing and hygiene. As the patient progresses, the task and care plan will change, but usually by week 1 or 2 the CNAs are very familiar with the patient and a simple update in PCC is all I have to do. We use a Red, Yellow and Green “stop light” tag system to identify when the patient is ready to move on their own. Read On...

Fortunately, many of Roya’s former Hallmark colleagues ended up finding their own work homes at the Ensign Service Center or at one of our affiliated facilities, and Roya was hearing a lot of buzz about the unique culture, family feeling, and passionate colleagues at this organization. She interviewed for a role at the service center and has been part of us ever since! Read On...

From Jon Anderson, DPT, Senior Therapy Resource: Love Love this! Beacon Harbor jumping right into this today! We had 60 therapists attend this 2-day, 12.5-hour training in DFW. Let’s not sit on this new knowledge. Please share your WINS on how your team is getting a Pelvic Floor Strengthening/Incontinence Therapy Program off the ground with all of us! Let’s get the flywheel rolling! 

In one recent referral, a: 76-year-old female presented with a diagnosis that includes major depressive disorder and anxiety. She was referred to therapy due to her refusal to complete ADLs and her adverse behaviors (yelling, screaming) with caregivers. So often, we may look at this resident as “that’s just how she is.” The challenge to the team is, what can we do for this resident? Are we looking at the person as a whole? Read On...

I know many of you are struggling with COVID outbreaks right now. It’s more important now than ever to partner closely with our Nursing counterparts to make sure infection control is at the top of everyone’s mind. If you haven’t done an in-service on PPE and hand washing lately, consider doing that at your rehab meeting this next week. Double check with your DNS on current isolation and masking protocols in your facility. I know everyone is weary, but as this new wave surges and state surveyors are becoming more critical, we have to remain diligent. Make it a game! The first person to donn and doff full PPE five times correctly gets a gift card! PPE and hand washing relay races! PPE poster contests! Do whatever it takes to make your teams be thinking about it and share your good ideas with all of us. The first person to respond with pictures of a creative infection control activity with your team gets lunch on me! Read On...

Woo-hoo! We stopped what we were doing down in the therapy gym at Parklane to go over hand washing. We used Glo Germ Gel to review just how thorough we have to be to get squeaky clean hands! Lots of laughter, with a side of learning!... Jennifer Henderson, OTR, DOR, Parklane West Rehabilitation Center, San Antonio, TX

For my Capstone project, I created a new and improved group therapy sheet to help inform the CNAs on the patients that had group therapy that day.

With this information, I wanted to create a system where there was little to no gray area when it came to getting our patients up and ready for group therapy. I wanted this new system to help our registry CNAs and our core CNA group as much as possible. I added four total boxes with six rows (one for each patient). Each row consists of a box where we can write in the patient’s room number, their transfer assist level, and what assistive device they use. I added the therapist’s name at the top so that the CNAs knew exactly who to contact if they had any questions or concerns. Read On...

Amada Gross, OT Student, came up with some cool group ideas! Some of the content on the group activities PDFs might need to be vetted for verbiage, etc., for best documentation practices, but Amanda gave these to the DOR to adapt as we needed. Click here to view her group ideas!

The benefits of group therapy can be traced all the way back to 1905, with the successful treatment of TB patients by psychologist J.H. Pratt. Since then, group therapeutic treatment has evolved and been incorporated into many other disciplines, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech language pathology. Read On...

I received a small art scholarship and a small pageant scholarship to help with my first couple of semesters of school, but I worked full-time as a server/bartender the majority of my college career in order to pay my bills at Texas State University. During graduate school, when it became difficult for me to continue work, my husband worked full-time for Texas State, driving the tram, while also attending school full-time. I first met our Keystone Therapy Recruiter, Richard Johnson, at the Texas Speech and Hearing Association conference in Austin, Texas during graduate school. I was inspired by Richard's enthusiasm...Read On...

From a young age, my father has always instilled in me to never stop learning. Because of this foundation, I have had an eclectic life. I was born in the Philippines and came to live in California when I was 2 years old. I then spent the majority of my life in Orange County. I attended Loara High School and received Autocad certifications in mechanical and architectural drafting. I then attended Fullerton College and received a certification in metallurgy and welding (to facilitate my intrigue in fabrication). Having a childhood desire to become a soldier, I then joined the U.S. Army (Reservist). When I returned from training, I married my girlfriend of seven years, transferred to Cal State University Fullerton, and received my BFA in Animation and Design.  Read On...