Course Description:

In this annual conference, a series of lectures will provide a solid foundation for therapists (OT, OTA, PT, PTA) entering practice in the critical care environment. Learners will review the purpose and benefits of beginning rehab intervention early in a patient’s critical care stay, how to prepare to approach the patient with awareness of medical, cognitive, and functional concerns as well as strategies to provide therapeutic intervention safely. Learners will review the approach to early rehabilitation in different patient populations. Attendees will learn about the importance of fostering a culture of mobility and how to determine the right patients and timing for treatment to have the biggest impact. The OT and PT disciplines will have the opportunity to discuss treatment considerations individually as well as coming together with strategies for collaboration. Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams is also discussed. This is a 3-day virtual conference with synchronous or OnDemand options.

Conference Objectives
1. Identify the factors that determine a critical care patient’s readiness for participation in rehabilitation 
2. Identify when the patient’s clinical presentation or response to treatment indicates a need to modify or terminate treatment
3. Describe the impact of early rehab for different patient populations
4. Describe prevention and treatment techniques for cognition in critical care patients
5. Discuss strategies for inter-professional collaboration with the medical teams to advocate for and develop early rehabilitation in the critical care population 
6. Describe safe therapy interventions appropriate for critical care patients.