ED PT Practice: Launching Your ED PT Practice
Presented by Rebekah Griffith
This course equips physical therapists with the tools and strategies needed to successfully launch a physical therapy service within the emergency department (ED). Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model as a framework, the course guides clinicians through every stage of early implementation—from planning a focused pilot to assessing clinical needs, developing staffing structures, and aligning with departmental workflows. Participants will learn to gather outcome data, build stakeholder support, and lay the foundation for a scalable and sustainable ED PT program. Ideal for PTs, program leaders, or clinical managers, this course supports a confident and practical approach to initiating ED-based therapy services in diverse healthcare settings.
Learning Objectives
- Plan a phased implementation strategy for integrating PT services into an emergency department
- Organize key components of operational readiness, including space, staffing, and referral processes
- Construct collaborative pathways to support communication and team integration within the ED setting
This course is part of a six part series on Emergency Department PT practice:
Meet your instructor
Rebekah Griffith
Dr. Rebekah Griffith specializes in emergency department care. Dr. Griffith believes physical therapist practice in the emergency department is a critical way to move upstream in healthcare, supporting patients during their most critical moments. Dr. Griffith has been an invited lecturer, a regular presenter, a podcast guest,…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. From Pilot to Practice: Planning With the PDSA Model
This chapter introduces the PDSA model as a structured approach to testing and refining an ED PT service. Learners will explore how to develop a focused pilot, track relevant outcomes, and use data to support program expansion. Practical tools such as business case writing, elevator pitches, and stakeholder alignment strategies are also discussed to support early advocacy and buy-in.
2. Assessing Clinical and Operational Needs
Focusing on operational readiness, this chapter walks through the essential components of setting up an ED PT practice, including space, equipment, staffing, and clinical training. Participants will learn how to assess both hard and soft skill needs, create onboarding processes, and build sustainable staffing pipelines. Emphasis is placed on tailoring services to meet departmental flow and patient population demands.
3. Progression and Growth
This chapter explores strategies for program evolution beyond the pilot phase, including refining workflows, prioritizing appropriate patients, and managing clinical bandwidth. Topics such as situational awareness, patient triage, and system credibility are discussed to ensure effective integration within the ED. Learners will also consider scalability, succession planning, and continuous improvement methods for long-term growth.
More courses in this series
ED PT Practice: Foundations for Emergency Department Care
Rebekah Griffith
ED PT Practice: Demonstrating Value and Defining the Role of the ED PT
Rebekah Griffith
ED PT Practice: Addressing Barriers and Operational Challenges
Rebekah Griffith
ED PT Practice: Building Your ED PT Practice
Rebekah Griffith
ED PT Practice: Launching Your ED PT Practice
Rebekah Griffith
ED PT Practice: Practicing at Top of Scope
Rebekah Griffith
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