Conatus Athletics' Podcast

Optimizing Physical Therapists in the ICU: Management Model Interview with Kyle Ridgeway DPT of University of Colorado Hospital   Kyle Ridgeway is the coordinator of a quality improvement project in the medical ICU at the University of Colorado Hospital. He answers questions regarding his project and discusses the rationale of physical therapists in the ICU.  Patients who are critically ill, especially those that require mechanical ventilation, exhibit profound sequelae. Acutely, patients are at risk for development of weakness, nerve and muscle impairment, and delirium as well as other multi-system complications. (bed sores, contractures, DVTs, etc). Long term physical, functional, neurocognitve, and psychological outcomes are poor. Impairments in strength, function, and inability to return to work can persist for years after hospital discharge. Early physical therapy, including active mobilization, is safe and feasible within 24 to 48 hours of ICU admission. Such an approach results in improved sh