Treatment FAQ

best pt notes for educating pt when refusing treatment

by Delphine Harvey I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What is an example of a daily note in physical therapy?

Physical Therapy Daily Note Example 1 Subjective. Patient stated “I am better able to sleep at night with less throbbing in my knee. ... 2 Objective. Patient using FWW to ambulate into clinic with equal step length noted. ... 3 Assessment. The patient demonstrates lack of quad muscle recruitment during knee extension. ... 4 Plan. ...

How to deal with patient refusals for Occupational Therapy?

How to Deal with Patient Refusals for Occupational Therapy 1 And then... there are the other types of refusals. 2 Method #1: Building Therapeutic Rapport. 3 Method #2: Focus on Why Occupational Therapy is Helpful. 4 Method #3: Bringing Function Into the Session. 5 Method #4: Reduce Therapy Time. 6 ... (more items)

Do you know your physical therapy documentation phrases?

Knowing appropriate Physical Therapy documentation phrases can help explain your intended treatment and justify more complex treatments such as neuromuscular re-education, therapeutic activity, and self-care.

What should I do if a patient refuses to go to therapy?

First, attempt to determine the root cause of the refusal. Then follow up with changes in how you are engaging the patient in therapy sessions. Potential changes could include: Working with the patient to determine a time/schedule that works for them

When treatment over a patient's objection would be appropriate?

What are the first few questions in a treatment plan?

Is there anything out there to help health care professionals approach the problem of delivering medical treatment against the wishes of patients?

Can you force dialysis on a patient who resists?

See more

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How do you document patient refusal of treatment?

DOCUMENTING INFORMED REFUSALdescribe the intervention offered;identify the reasons the intervention was offered;identify the potential benefits and risks of the intervention;note that the patient has been told of the risks — including possible jeopardy to life or health — in not accepting the intervention;More items...

What should you do if a patient refuses treatment or transport?

If, however, the patient still refuses care or transport, make them aware of all of the risks and rewards of treatment and non-treatment as necessary in implied consent, complete a patient refusal form (usually located on the back of a standard PCR), and obtain the patient's signature.

What do you do if a patient refuses occupational therapy?

Many of your patients that are refusing may benefit from shortened, 20-30 minute sessions. You can see them for their additional time later in the day, and/or discuss with your supervisor that they will benefit from a lower minutes category and just see them once a day with the shortened time.

What are the rules for refusing to treat the patient?

As a rule of thumb, if unnecessary delays in care may cause irreparable harm, physicians can face legal liability for their refusal to treat. If you need urgent medical attention, and a doctor refuses to treat you, you can pursue a medical malpractice suit against the physician and/or the establishment they work for.

How do you document patient refusal in EMS?

Refuses to sign refusal However, you will need to insert in the refusal form that the person refused to sign and what you did to secure the person's signature on the form. Whether or not the refusal form is signed by the patient or the patient's representative, it also should be signed by you and dated.

Can a patient consent to transport but not treatment?

The correct answer is: A. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.

How do you motivate patients in rehab?

Clarify your patient's hopes, desires, and fears. ... Set relevant and achievable rehabilitation goals. ... Provide information about physical therapy. ... Involve the patient in creating the rehabilitation plan. ... Make your instructions clear and avoid technical jargon. ... Focus on engagement during rehabilitation exercises.More items...

Can you refuse occupational therapy?

Of course, an employee always has the right to refuse to attend an occupational health assessment or other health meeting. This refusal may have to do with personal beliefs, fear of sharing medical details or religious reasons, and should be documented clearly.

How do physical therapists deal with difficult patients?

With that in mind, here are seven tips to help you—and your staff members—deal with difficult patients:Focus on engagement from the beginning. ... Make it a collaboration. ... Collect feedback—and act on it. ... Make the homework more palatable. ... Remain empathetic. ... Avoid confrontation. ... Know when enough is enough.

What are a few examples of when a patient can refuse treatment?

1 Accordingly, the patient may refuse to be informed about their medical condition and make a decision. An example would be the statement, “I don't want to hear anything from you. I'm not going to the hospital.” They may be informed and then refuse to make a decision. “Wow, that sounds bad either way.

What should a nurse do when a patient refuses treatment?

If your patient refuses treatment or medication, your first responsibility is to make sure that he's been informed about the possible consequences of his decision in terms he can understand. If he doesn't speak or understand English well, arrange for a translator.

Why is refusal of treatment an ethical dilemma?

In general, ethical tension exists when a physician's obligation to promote a patient's best interests competes with the physician's obligation to respect the patient's autonomy. “When you don't take your medication, you're more likely to get sick.”

GUIDELINES: Management of Client Refusal to Take Prescribed Medication

These guidelines where developed by Continuum of Care at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center under a Joint Powers Agreement with the New Mexico Department of Health Developmental Disabilities Support Division.

What to do when competent patients refuse treatment

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Ethical Issue: Refusal of Treatment - NursingAnswers.net

Ethical Issue: Refusal of Treatment. Info: 2410 words (10 pages) Nursing Essay Published: 11th Feb 2020 Reference this

When Patients Refuse Treatment: Medical Ethics Issues for Physicians

This is another example of a situation involving tension between autonomy and beneficence.We see this tension in another case as well (see “Patient Demands for Unconventional Care”). In the current case, the patient out-and-out refused care while, in the other case, the patient influenced the physician to modify his recommendation for hospitalization and convinced him to treat her as an ...

What to do if a patient refuses treatment?

If after modifications and changes the patient continues to refuse treatment, remember that they do have the right to refuse and manage their own care. In this event, it’s important to respect their decisions and discontinue care.

What to do if a patient is uncomfortable with therapy?

If the patient is uncomfortable with therapy, work with Social Services to have them attempt to determine the issue

What is the right to refuse treatment in OBRA?

OBRA also includes specific patient rights which state under the Clinical Care and Treatment section that, “A resident has the right to refuse treatment after being fully informed and understanding of the probable consequence of such actions.”. First, attempt to determine the root cause of the refusal. Then follow up with changes in how you are ...

What to do when a patient refuses therapy?

Use any community resources available. "Our advice is to use bioethics, social work and psychiatry services early in the process of therapy refusal, especially when the consequences of such refusal are severe, irreversible morbidity or death." (10) Having the patient obtain a second opinion may be effective, as hearing the same concerns strongly voiced by two physicians may convince the patient to proceed.

Why is it important to understand why a patient refuses an intervention?

According to Holeman, understanding why a patient refused an intervention is important because the decision could be irrational or based on misinformation. "An extreme example is a patient with an elevated PSA who refuses a prostate biopsy because he is afraid it would make him sterile. It would be important to address this concern in the discussion because you may be able to overcome it and obtain consent," says Holeman.

What is prudent practice?

Prudent practice involves comprehensive documentation. As with the informed consent process, informed refusal should be documented in the medical record. In the case study, the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs when faced with a deceased patient and an undocumented patient decision of great importance.

Why are some patients unable to make medical decisions?

(4, 6) Other patients may be suffering from impaired decision-making capacity caused by intoxication, hypoxia, sedation, stress, or fever. "Every effort should be made to reverse potential impairments in capacity, to assure that the patient is making the most rational, autonomous choice." (7)

What is informed refusal?

INFORMED REFUSAL. Texas law recognizes that physicians must obtain consent for treatment and that such consent be "informed.". A variant of informed consent is informed refusal, in which a patient refuses treatment after having been informed of the risks and benefits of the intervention. Many physicians associate the concept ...

Why do patients refuse to see a doctor?

"The patient's decision may arise from many sources, including the denial of the potential seriousness of the medical condition; lack of confidence in the physician or institution; disagreement with the plan of management; conflicts between hospitalization and personal obligations; and financial concerns." (2)

When faced with an ambivalent or resistant patient, it is important for the physician to use clear and unambiguous?

When faced with an ambivalent or resistant patient, it is important for the physician to use clear and unambiguous language to avoid misinterpretation. "Sometimes the only way to get a patient's attention is for the physician to very bluntly tell the patient 'if you do not have this surgery, you will likely die,'" says Holeman.

What is the reason for refusing a treatment?

The reasons a patient refuses a treatment. The physician held a discussion with the patient and the patient understood their medical condition, the proposed treatment, the expected benefits and outcome of the treatment and possible medical consequences/risks of refusal. Discharge or follow-up instructions.

When a patient refuses medically indicated treatment, should documentation reflect that?

When a patient or the patient's legal representative refuses medically indicated treatment, documentation should reflect that the physician discussed the nature of the patient's condition, the proposed treatment, the expected benefits and outcome of the treatment and the risks of nontreatment. This documentation would validate ...

What should documentation reflect?

In addition, documentation should reflect that the physician attempted to provide the patient with appropriate discharge instructions and follow-up information. Documentation should include the following: The patient's capacity to understand the information being provided or discussed. Treatment was offered and refused.

What should a physician document?

Physicians also should document a patient’s failure to follow advice, take medication or obtain requested diagnostic studies and any other actions a patient fails to take that might contribute to an injury or delay in the resolution of a medical problem.

What is patient education?

Patient education is more than just checking off a box, especially during physical therapy. Visitors to our clinic often come in with two very simple questions: “Is this going to hurt?” and “How long is it going to take?” Some are quite skeptical, while others are reluctant to commit to the process. After all, the road to recovery from an injury or disability is often lengthy and challenging. An investment of time and effort into effective patient education, however, can significantly improve a patient’s attitude and create an environment of trust and understanding throughout the course of treatment. The results can be significant, including better outcomes for both patient and clinician.

Is patient education important?

Although it can be difficult to quantify the value of good patient education, neglecting it would be to the detriment of your clinic. Think of each patient’s visit as a block of time that you can personalize with curated, high-quality education materials. From staff training to the physical materials provided in the office, a well curated approach to patient education can lead to improved health outcomes.

Where is the most of the difficulty in writing defensible documentation?

Most of the difficulty in writing defensible documentation lies in the assessment section.

Why is physical therapy important?

It can also be the cause of major headaches, rushed lunch hours, and excessive typing throughout the day. Students and therapists alike have experienced difficulty locating helpful physical therapy documentation examples.

What is a Rhomberg stance?

Balance: Rhomberg stance: positive; Single-leg stance: unable on Left, for up to 3 seconds on Right. Tandem stance: requires UE support with balance loss upon perturbation.

How long does it take for a patient to demonstrate independent ambulation?

Within 4 weeks, the patient will demonstrate independent ambulation on level surfaces without a straight cane in order to safely navigate the community without gait compensation.

What is the pain scale for a knee flexion?

Pain increases with knee flexion, described as “tightness” due to increased swelling. Patient rates pain at 4/10 at present, 3/10 at best and 6/10 at worst. Patient reports decreased sensation along the incision line; sensation is intact otherwise.

How long is a cold pack for a left knee?

10 minutes Cold Pack (97010): Left knee patient in supine with knee supported by bolster for comfort following exercises and treatment. Instructed patient to continue using ice intermittently at home with elevation throughout the day to minimize swelling.

What is a prior functional level?

Prior Functional Level: Patient was independent in all areas. Patient is active in his work as a floor manager at a local car manufacturer and could stand 8 to 10 hours a day, navigating stairs throughout the facility.

Neuromuscular Re-Ed Documentation Examples

The following examples are sample physical therapy documentation phrases to help you appropriately identify the skills involved in performing each treatment (in bold). These sample phrases may be used in the objective (observational) or assessment (interpretation and judgment) sections of your therapy documentation.

What about Phrases for Therapeutic Exercise or Manual Therapy?

For the full 60+ therapy documentation examples, take a look at the Therapy Documentation Template below.

How to reduce refusals?

Asking about past routines, careers and hobbies can really help to incorporate meaningful activity and reduce refusals.

What does OT do for patients?

As your patient’s OT, you may be the only person they have to talk to, so providing them with empathy and understanding can go a long way.

Why is my patient stubborn?

This could be due to behavioral, psychological, or cognitive reasons. The fact that they bounce around with many different excuses makes it hard to talk them through one particular thing.

When everything else fails, what happens?

When Everything Else Fails. After you, nursing, doctors, and other therapists have tried everything from checking symptoms, incorporating caregivers, educating the patient on the benefits of therapy until you’re blue in the face and nothing helps, it might be time to call it quits.

How to encourage engagement in therapy?

Activities like organizing the closet (UE ROM, functional reaching!), reminiscing about pictures while standing (building up standing tolerance!), and going for a walk outside for some fresh air (community mobility, dynamic balance and activity tolerance retraining!) can be excellent ways to encourage engagement in therapy.

Can you terminate therapy in a row?

Each facility has different policies on this, but in my experience I’ve seen that continuous (more than three) refusals in a row can lead to terminating therapy services.

Can you ask a patient to use the bathroom?

Even just asking the patient if they need to use the bathroom is a great way to address goals. In fact, toileting is almost always my first go-to activity in these situations since everyone has to do this.

What is patient education in physical therapy?

Patient education is the cornerstone of physical therapy care. Whether they’re demonstrating exercises or providing information patients can use to improve their own health, PTs are just as much educators as they are caregivers. However, billing for education time isn’t exactly a clear-cut process. After all, there’s no specific code ...

What is the code for a therapist?

Therapists should report the code 98960 for individual patients, 98961 for groups of two to four patients, and 98962 for groups of five to eight patients. Furthermore, the curriculum must adhere to standards recognized by a physician society, the APTA, or another appropriate professional organization.

What is patient education?

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) defines patient education as “the process of informing, educating, or training patients/clients, families, significant others, and caregivers with the intent to promote and optimize physical therapy services.”. Instruction is essential to the physical rehabilitative process ...

Can a therapist modify the curriculum?

However, the provider can modify the curriculum as needed. While Medicare bundles these codes—and many payers have followed that lead—not all payers have the same policy.

Can a PT report COPD?

In some cases, a PT may be able to report codes from the Education and Training for Patient Self-Management code series. These codes are only appropriate for reporting education and training for self-management of specific illnesses such as arthritis, COPD, and asthma.

Is there a billing code for education time?

However, billing for education time isn’t exactly a clear-cut process. After all, there’s no specific code for patient education. Fortunately, if you document and report codes the right way, you can ensure payment for the time you spend coaching and educating your patients. Here’s how:

Do you need to note the instruction provided during a one on one service?

If you’re billing the education as part of a one-on-one service, you must clearly note the instructions provided during the service. Notes must also confirm that the therapist actually performed the intervention. For example, the therapist should note that he or she selected the specific intervention, provided a demonstration, coached the patient as he or she performed the exercise, and assessed and corrected the patient’s positioning as needed.

When treatment over a patient's objection would be appropriate?

KP: A simple example of when treatment over a patient’s objection would be appropriate is if a psychotic patient who had a life-threatening, easily treatable infection was refusing antibiotics for irrational reasons. Treatment would save the patient’s life without posing significant risk to the patient.

What are the first few questions in a treatment plan?

The first few questions consider the imminence and severity of the harm expected to occur by doing nothing as well as the risks, benefits, and likelihood of a successful outcome with the proposed intervention. Other questions consider the psychosocial aspects of this decision—how will the patient feel about being coerced into treatment? What is the patient’s reason for refusing treatment? The last question concerns the logistics of treating over objection: Will the patient be able to comply with treatment, such as taking multiple medications on a daily basis or undergoing frequent kidney dialysis?

Is there anything out there to help health care professionals approach the problem of delivering medical treatment against the wishes of patients?

And there are fairly clear policies and laws concerning the ethics and legality of delivering psychiatric care to patients who refuse it. But there is nothing out there to help health care professionals approach the problem of delivering medical treatment against the wishes of patients who lack decisional capacity.

Can you force dialysis on a patient who resists?

As Dr. Rubin stated, one cannot force three times weekly dialysis sessions on a resistant patient even if it means that the patient will die without the treatment.

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Case Study

  • A patient had a long-standing history of coronary artery disease, suffering his first myocardial infarction (MI) at age 47. He had recurrent chest pain a year later and underwent a work up to rule out MI. He was treated medically without invasive procedures. Four years after the first MI, he came to a new cardiologist, the defendant in this case. A cardiac catheterization showed 99% pr…
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Informed Refusal

  • Texas law recognizes that physicians must obtain consent for treatment and that such consent be "informed." A variant of informed consent is informed refusal, in which a patient refuses treatment after having been informed of the risks and benefits of the intervention. Many physicians associate the concept of informed refusal with the patient who leaves the ED abruptl…
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The Process of Informed Refusal

  • As is frequently emphasized in the medical risk management literature, informed refusal is a process, not a signed document. "Physicians need to show that the patient's decision to decline treatment was based on a full understanding of all the facts necessary to make that decision," says Holeman. "Physicians cannot force a treatment on a patient, a...
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Assessing Decision-Making Capacity

  • "Although the concept of patient autonomy requires that patients be permitted to make even idiosyncratic decisions, it remains the responsibility of the clinician to assure that no decision is the result of a problem with decision-making capacity or some misunderstanding that needs to be resolved." (4) With regard to obtaining consent for medical interventions, competence and decisi…
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Documenting Informed Refusal

  • Prudent practice involves comprehensive documentation. As with the informed consent process, informed refusal should be documented in the medical record. In the case study, the jury found in favor of the plaintiffs when faced with a deceased patient and an undocumented patient decision of great importance. A signed refusal for heart catheterization — including the risks, benefits an…
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Other Risk Management Considerations

  • In addition to documenting the informed refusal discussion, the following recommendations may help minimize the risk of lawsuits related to patient refusals. 1. As part of routine care, inquire about and encourage patients to complete advance directives before serious illness or capacity questions arise. "If the patient has an Advance Directive or Living Will, this document may also p…
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Sources

  1. Bernat J, Peterson L. Patient-centered informed consent in surgical practice. Arch Surg. 2006 Jan;141(1):86-92.
  2. Solomon R. Ethical issues in medical malpractice. Emerg Med Clin N Am. 2006 Aug;24(3): 733-747.
  3. Engel KG, Cranston R. When the physician's medical judgment is rejected. Clinical case 2. Am…
  1. Bernat J, Peterson L. Patient-centered informed consent in surgical practice. Arch Surg. 2006 Jan;141(1):86-92.
  2. Solomon R. Ethical issues in medical malpractice. Emerg Med Clin N Am. 2006 Aug;24(3): 733-747.
  3. Engel KG, Cranston R. When the physician's medical judgment is rejected. Clinical case 2. American Medical Association Virtual Mentor Archives. February 2004. Available at www.ama-assn.org/pub/cate...
  4. Ganzini L, Volicer L, Nelson W, Fox E, Derse A. Ten myths about decision-making capacity. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2005 May-June;6(3 Suppl):S100-104.

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