Physical therapy in the emergency department: development of a novel practice venue.

Background And Purpose: The American Physical Therapy Association's Vision 2020 advocates that physical therapists be integral members of health care teams responsible for diagnosing and managing movement and functional disorders. This report details the design and early implementation of a physical therapist service in the emergency department (ED) of a large, urban hospital and presents recommendations for assessing the effectiveness of physical therapists in this setting.

Case Description: Emergency departments serve multiple purposes in the American health care system, including care of patients with non-life-threatening illnesses.