Patient Safety and the Environment in Acute Care Rehabilitation

Presented by Ashley Poole

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Video Runtime: 46 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 24 Minutes

Hospitals are complex environments. Rehab practitioners working in acute care interface with various aspects of the environment, including patients, staff, equipment, and services. Rehab practitioners must provide safe, high-quality care to patients without compromising the environment or their own health and safety. This course will provide rehab practitioners with an understanding of environmental considerations in acute care as well as safety considerations related to the environment prior to and during a rehab session. Information in this course could be applicable to any health profession, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, that treats patients in the acute care setting.

Meet your instructor

Ashley Poole

Ashley Poole, PT, DPT, holds a full-time faculty appointment in the Doctor of Physical Therapy division at Duke University. She has more than 20 years of clinical practice experience and was awarded board certification as a cardiovascular and pulmonary clinical specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Environmental Safety

1. Environmental Safety

It is important for rehab practitioners working in acute care to understand the importance of environmental safety and its application to rehab in this complex environment. This chapter will guide rehab practitioners in the primary functions involved with the management of the environment of care in hospitals.

Patient Safety: Knowledge and Awareness

2. Patient Safety: Knowledge and Awareness

It is important for rehab practitioners to possess an overall awareness of the factors that can affect patient safety in the acute care environment. This chapter will cover national patient safety goals, patient safety precautions, and restraints.

Management of the Environment and Patient Safety

3. Management of the Environment and Patient Safety

It is important for a rehab practitioner to safely manage various elements of the acute care environment during a rehab session. This chapter will guide rehab practitioners in how to set up the hospital environment for patient safety. Safe patient handling and mobility programs and an overview of safety events will also be covered.