First: DO NO HARM. LACK OF BASIC P.T. IN HOSPITALS HARMS PATIENTS! Physical therapy is almost non-existent in hospitals now, leaving patients who are there for more than a few days to languish in beds where they become weak from inactivity. An elderly friend, ambulatory on admission to a major University Medical Center became so weak from days of inactivity that she could not return home AND no rehabilitation facility would accept her on discharge. Refusing discharge to a nursing home, she was finally re-evaluated and sent to rehabilitation -- the only way she could regain lost strength and return to her home. Result: Harm to patient and high cost to Medicare for her rehabilitation, all for lack of basic P.T.
Healthcare regs must change to prevent this harm & high cost.