Acute Care Rehab

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online occupational physical therapy ceu course

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Why take this course?


This two-day, intermediate level course will provide the clinician with the tools necessary to make appropriate decisions in the ICU and acute care environments. The core principles are introduced so that clinician can acquire specific information on a variety of topics in order to effectively manage and progress patients with varying degrees of involvement. The fundamentals of ICU and acute care are presented in order for a clinician to feel not only comfortable in this environment but confident to treat each patient in a safe progressive manner. A variety of diagnoses will be presented and specific key areas are addressed in the management and progression of each patient. Red flags and tips on how to appropriately monitor and interpret the patients key vital signs when initiating and progressing a patient’s functional movement are thoroughly addressed, as this is essential,beyond basics knowledge, for all acute care therapists.

From the most critical and complex medical status to the patient who simply needs mobilization and strengthening in order to return to full function, the acute care clinician must feel comfortable providing rehabilitative services in each environment. Specific details on how to work with tubes, lines, and other medical equipment will enhance the clinician?s ability to feel confident. Tools such as the ABCDEF bundles and other evidence-based assessment and treatment tools will be reviewed and utilized in lab sessions. In addition, clinicians will also learn proper management strategies for the cardiac and pulmonary patient and hands on techniques to improve function. Case study presentations will enable the clinician to pull all of the information together to design an appropriate evaluation and progressive treatment plans.

This is an evidenced-based practical course that is designed to give the clinician the information needed to optimize treatment in the acute care environment and return your patient as close as possible to prior level of function. This course provides the clinician the information to improve their confidence and bolster their tool box of interventions for the acute care population. This course is applicable for PT, PTA, OT

Acute Care Rehab

Course Objectives


  • Describe the effects of immobility on the human body.
  • Comprehend and reference the effects of immobility on the body when developing higher level mobility goals for all patient types seen in the acute care environment.
  • Formulate effective goals and treatment strategies for the behaviorally challenging acute care patient.
  • Differentiate between the medically fragile and general acute care patient and demonstrate management techniques and interventions for these populations.
  • Identify the differences between the cardiac and pulmonary related disease specific management strategies.
  • State the critical elements of analysis and assessment when treating and progressing the cardiopulmonary patient in an acute care setting.
  • Demonstrate confidence and aptitude when developing appropriate intervention strategies for cardiopulmonary criticalcare scenarios.
  • Exhibit efficacy in intervention with ventilator dependent treatment scenarios.
  • Perform proper percussion and drainage techniques while observing the risk factors for the acute care patient.
  • Formulate an appropriate plan of care for a critically ill cardiac patient.
  • Integrate existing treatment plans with progression into the plan of care for the neurologically complex patient in the acute care setting.
  • Establish interventions for the critically ill orthopedic patient to assure management of the effects of immobility and stimulate an earlier return to prior level of function.
  • Validate an understanding of the outcome tools available for assessment of the acute and critically ill patient.
  • Execute an efficient use and completion of the outcome tools applicable for the acute care population.
  • Exhibit an understanding of the components (including equipment), time, and players in an effective mobilization plan for the critically ill population.
  • Perform a thorough vital sign screening and identify appropriate values for increasing workload safely.
  • Reference the critical values and analysis required to recognize progression and regression when mobilizing the critically ill population.
  • Construct relevant treatment plans and interventions for the population requiring early mobilization and the neurologically complex patient in the completion of scenario based case studies.

Download a Brochure


PDF Brochure - Acute Care Rehab

Instructed by: Sharan Zirges, PT, DPT, MSHA


I get an absolute thrill from assisting someone back into a functional life. Functional is the important word here because rarely do any of us return to where we were before. As the body ages and recovers from diseases and procedures getting back to functional is like getting your life back. I love helping people to get there just as much as I love teaching others how to help people get there.

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Course Dates


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