Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology in the Emergency Department: Specialty Consult Services to Enhance the Care of Older Adults.

The rehab services of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology (PT/OT/SLP) are areas of emerging practice in the emergency department (ED). These specialty consult services can provide ED physicians with valuable, nuanced assessments for the older adults that will assist in determining a safe discharge plan. PT and OT interventions in the ED have been shown to decrease hospital admissions and readmissions, increase patient satisfaction, and decrease cost. Rehab specialists provide physicians with an expanded scope of management options that can greatly enhance the care of patients in the ED.