Risk Management in Acute Care Hospital Physical Therapy Departments

Abstract

[Purpose] A purpose of this study is investigation of risk management organization of a physical therapy section of an acute care hospital. [Subjects] One hundred sixty-nine facilities were selected from among those hospitals registered with the welfare health medical information network (9,019 facilities). [Methods] The study method was a questionnaire survey by mail. The numbers of returned questionnaires was 112, a response rate of 66.3%. [Results] Hospitals sizes ranged from 200~1,500 beds, and the average number of physical therapists was 10.5. The main equipment provided in the physical therapy departments were electrocardiogram monitors, transdermal oxygen saturation level measuring instruments, oxygen tanks, and suction units. In 37.5% of hospitals, nurses did not work in the physical therapy department. [Conclusion] In the near future, physical therapists should be allowed to perform suction technique. Safety in physical therapy was provision of the equipment and the tool of the risk management. The complete procedures are necessary in the case of emergencies.