Nobody wants to have to visit the emergency room for medical care, but it’s a reality for many of us at some point in life. However, once treated at the emergency department, many individuals dive into their treatment and recovery programs in hopes of never needing to head back to the facility for emergency care. A new study found that physical therapy can be incredibly helpful if you hope to avoid a return visit to the emergency room.
PT Lowers Emergency Care Likelihood
To get a better understanding of the effectiveness of physical therapy, researchers at Advocate Health Center took a closer look at recovery outcomes based on treatment recommendations following discharge from an emergency department. For the study, Advocate Health Senior Services Project Coordinator Suzie Ryer and team examined how frequently patients over the age of 65 returned to the emergency department within 30 days of discharge. A total of 1,395 older adults were analyzed across 15 emergency departments.
While treatment recommendations varied by patient and admittance reason, researchers found that nearly 40 percent of patients were referred to physical therapy upon emergency department discharge. Those who did not attend outpatient physical therapy within 30 days of their emergency department visit ended up being 88 percent more likely to be readmitted to the ED than those who did partake in physical therapy sessions.
Other findings from the study include:
- Patients who were diagnosed with vertigo were more likely to attend PT than those who were diagnosed with back pain.
- Patients with lower household income were 51 percent less likely to attend physical therapy and 66 percent more likely to revisit the emergency department than those in the highest income group.
Researchers based some conclusions off these additional findings, suggesting that back pain that warrants emergency care may be so debilitating that it’s oftentimes difficult for these patients to seek out in-patient physical therapy care. They also suggest emergency room doctors should consider family income when helping patients navigate potential obstacles to sticking with a rehabilitation plan.
With that said, the clear takeaway from the study is that connecting with a physical therapist following a stint in the emergency department can significantly reduce your risk of heading back to the emergency facility within 30 days for additional care. Not only can physical therapy lead to faster recovery and improved physical function, but it can also greatly reduce healthcare costs associated with additional emergency medical care.
So if physical therapy is recommended by your emergency care physician or your primary care doctor, please heed their advice and set up an appointment with a team like OrthoRehab Specialists or a PT near you. Physical therapy is being recommended because it is an effective and inexpensive treatment option for a variety of conditions, so follow your doctor’s advice and take the first step towards a healthier you through physical therapy.
For more information, or to set up your first appointment, reach out to the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
