The document further substantiates that clinical practice of physical therapy includes the skills required in the therapeutic management of patients with cardiovascular system dysfunction. Physical therapists have made significant contributions to the professional literature in this area. Cardiopulmonary care is an integral part of physical therapy. Medicare itself has recognized cardiac care as a part of physical therapy. In spite of these CORF definitions and the fact that a CORF is a physician directed clinic, some fiscal intermediaries have denied coverage of physical therapy services to cardiac patients.
Physical therapists are prepared to handle high risk patients.
We deal with them on a daily basis and are prepared to handle medical emergencies. For example, we may treat a patient who has suffered a stroke and has a previous myocardial infarction. Or we may treat a patient with a hip fracture who has kidney disease and congestive heart failure. A physical therapist watches for signs and symptoms of overexertion, monitors blood pressures, heart rates and electrocardiograms in the clinical setting as guides to exercise progression. In an emergency situation, physical therapists administer basic cardiac life support, or with the proper training, proceed to advanced cardiac life support including arrhythmia recognition and defibrillation of selected dysrhythmia.