9: PTs Should Be Part Of ER Flashcards
(19 cards)
Affirmative Opening Statement
• PTs are trained in acute assessment and patient-centered care, making them valuable in fast-paced ER settings.
• They can reduce unnecessary imaging, support quicker discharges, and help prevent functional decline.
• The goal isn’t just adding staff, but adding the right kind of expertise to build a more holistic healthcare system.
Affirmative Arguments
Improved Patient Outcomes & Reduced ER Overcrowding
It’s a Growing Field in many countries
Lower Healthcare Costs & Less Opioid Use
What supported the affirmative argument “Improved Patient Outcomes & Reduced ER Overcrowding” ?
• PTs can manage ER visits (especially MSK related ) like back pain and sprains, improving mobility and reducing pain immediately.
• This allows ER doctors to focus on critical cases, reducing ER overload
What supported the affirmative argument “It’s a Growing Field in many countries” ?
Examples of hospitals that have ER-integrated PT teams. :
- WellSpan Hospitals (USA)
- Mid Cheshire Hospital (UK) - has a specialized team “REACT” consisting mainly of PTs&OTs
• Dr. Rebekah Griffith (“The ED DPT”) has advanced this field with training, mentorship, and educational resources.
AND he is the author of “ The emergency department, physical therapists handbook” called “TOP OF SCOPE”
What supported the affirmative argument “Lower Healthcare Costs & Less Opioid Use” ?
A study showed patients treated by PTs in the ER had lower opioid use and shorter stays.
Opposition Opening Statement
• ER is for life-threatening conditions requiring emergency professionals.
• PTs are important in recovery, not during emergencies—role comes after patient is stable.
According to the opposition team, what are the roles of PTs VS Emergency department staff ?
Roles of Physical Therapists (PTs):
• Rehabilitation
• Restoring movement and function
• Managing musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., joint, muscle, back pain)
Roles of Emergency Department Staff:
• Diagnosing and stabilizing critical conditions (e.g., heart attacks, strokes, trauma)
• Administering emergency medications, fluids, or oxygen
• Performing life-saving procedures (CPR, intubation, defibrillation)
• Making urgent decisions quickly under pressure
Opposition arguments
What supported the opposition argument “Training” ?
• PTs are not trained in procedures like intubation or cardiac arrest management.
• Not legally allowed to give emergency medications.
What supported the opposition argument “coordination” ?
• More providers in ER can cause confusion or slow care.
• PTs with undefined roles can lead to miscommunication.
• May attract non-urgent MSK patients, burdening ER.
What supported the opposition argument “Length of stay” ?
• Study : Average ER stay is 3 hours 28 minutes; 70% discharged within 4 hours.
• ER staff focuses on fast assessment, urgent treatment, stabilization, and discharge.
• No clinical need for PTs in this short acute phase.
Affirmative Rebuttal to “Training”
• PTs may not perform intubation/emergency meds, but many are trained in CPR/basic life support.
• Can recognize early warning signs, respond, and call for help—this fast action matters.
Affirmative Rebuttal to “Coordination”
• PTs can reduce ER burden by quickly treating non-urgent MSK cases.
• This frees doctors for more critical care.
Affirmative Rebuttal to “Length of stay”
• Not all ER cases are critical.
• PTs can help with minor cases like sprains, prevent worsening, and reduce crowding.
• Allows staff to focus on life-threatening conditions.
Affirmative closing statement
PTs in the ER isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity
- ease the burden
- elevate the quality of care
Opposition Rebuttal to “Improved Patient Outcomes & Reduced ER Overcrowding”
• ER physicians, orthopedic residents, and trained nurses can manage MSK injuries.
• ER is for quick stabilization, not rehab.
• Back pain and sprains should be treated outpatient—not ER.
• Focus should be on better triage and redirecting low-priority cases.
Opposition Rebuttal to “It’s a Growing Field in many countries”
• A few hospitals using ER PT doesn’t prove it’s necessary or widely used.
• These are special cases with specific resources and trained teams.
• Hard to implement with staff shortages; isolated trials don’t prove need or effectiveness.
Opposition Rebuttal to “Lower Healthcare Costs & Less Opioid Use”
• Opioid reduction seen in patients treated within 2–3 weeks post-injury, not in the ER.
• ER opioid use typically lasts 5 days or less for acute pain.
• PT requires multiple sessions for pain reduction—impractical in ER.
• No guarantee that PT in ER lowers costs.
Opposition closing statement
• Physical therapy fits better in specialized care settings.
• ER should stay focused on critical, time-sensitive medical care.
