Wellness Aquatics Programs

[Guest guest]

We are trying to establish a standard of care for our Wellness Aquatics Program.

Does anyone have a community based aquatics program in which the clients

participate in independent exercises in a pool environment.

If so is anyone staffing this type of program with or without a lifeguard. I

feel a lifeguard from a patient safety standpoint is the correct staff for

supervising a self pay pool program.

Any thoughts from another facility doing a similar program would be welcome.

Thanks,

Agan, PT Cert. MDT

Rocky Mount, NC

[Guest guest]

Hi :

I've done a community service for two pool locations. Step one was to have some

employees certified by the Arthritis Foundation for their " Twinges in the

Hinges " program. As I remember, classes were limited to 15 people and fees

range between $3-$8 depending on area, parking validation etc. This program

suggests a physician clearance which of course adds an unobtrusive contact with

the Doc.

Step two would be to offer a " punch card " membership to existing/exiting

patients and the general community. In our setting we charged $8 a visit where

they purchased a card with 10 visits for $80. We punched it each visit so they

didn't have a contract nor long term commitment. People are willing to " buy

fitness " but rarely continue. This approach drops there fear and allows you to

help them see the way to wellness.

In step three, access to both land and pool programs were extended to physicians

and staff as a professional courtesy. For every physician that accepted (not

many), 20 staff members did. More importantly, more referrals came out of it.

These programs are considered " community assets " or goodwill and are very much

worth the effort as they bring in people you may have never seen and cement the

bond between you and the physician/staff.

There are so many little things like you can do to add to this success, but this

is certainly a monumental start. Have a good one and congrats on your intent

and vision.

Doug Sparks

Advanced Physical Therapy Concepts / APTC

www.aptc.biz<http://www.aptc.biz/>

Wellness Aquatics Programs

We are trying to establish a standard of care for our Wellness Aquatics

Program.

Does anyone have a community based aquatics program in which the clients

participate in independent exercises in a pool environment.

If so is anyone staffing this type of program with or without a lifeguard. I

feel a lifeguard from a patient safety standpoint is the correct staff for

supervising a self pay pool program.

Any thoughts from another facility doing a similar program would be welcome.

Thanks,

Agan, PT Cert. MDT

Rocky Mount, NC

Looking to start your own Practice?

Visit www.InHomeRehab.com<http://www.inhomerehab.com/>.

Bring PTManager to your organization or State Association with a professional

workshop or course - call us at 313 884-8920 to arrange

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join and

participate now!

[Guest guest]

--

Check with your local chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. They have an

aquatics program with set standards that you can " plug in " to your existing

operations. I'd check with your risk management advisor on the lifeguard issue.

It seems reasonable to have lifeguard trained staff.

Good luck,

Jon Rose

Wellness Aquatics Programs

We are trying to establish a standard of care for our Wellness Aquatics Program.

Does anyone have a community based aquatics program in which the clients

participate in independent exercises in a pool environment.

If so is anyone staffing this type of program with or without a lifeguard. I

feel a lifeguard from a patient safety standpoint is the correct staff for

supervising a self pay pool program.

Any thoughts from another facility doing a similar program would be welcome.

Thanks,

Agan, PT Cert. MDT

Rocky Mount, NC

Looking to start your own Practice?

Visit www.InHomeRehab.com.

Bring PTManager to your organization or State Association with a professional

workshop or course - call us at 313 884-8920 to arrange

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join and

participate now!

[Guest guest]

Good suggestion Jon. We felt covered by our liability insurance as well as the

supervision component. We had a big scare a few years ago as a patient felt

dizzy and nauseous near then end of her therapy. We were next door to the

hospital so we had her transferred and contacted her husband. She died 45

minutes later. It turns out that her physician had prescribed a high end

inhaler because she didn't get relief from the four upgrades before. It didn't

work because she wasn't using it and then resumed at the highest level. We of

course were very sad but were pleased (as you can be in a tragic situation) that

it wasn't our fault. It DID make us look at all procedures and protocols. My

suggestion would be to go out of your way to protect your patient. Or, as I

tell athletes (pole vaulters) I coach, " you can kill a fly with a flyswatter or

with a sledgehammer " . I always prefer the sledgehammer. Have a great day Jon

and thanks for your input!! Doug

Doug Sparks

Advanced Physical Therapy Concepts / APTC

www.aptc.biz<http://www.aptc.biz/>

Wellness Aquatics Programs

We are trying to establish a standard of care for our Wellness Aquatics

Program.

Does anyone have a community based aquatics program in which the clients

participate in independent exercises in a pool environment.

If so is anyone staffing this type of program with or without a lifeguard. I

feel a lifeguard from a patient safety standpoint is the correct staff for

supervising a self pay pool program.

Any thoughts from another facility doing a similar program would be welcome.

Thanks,

Agan, PT Cert. MDT

Rocky Mount, NC

Looking to start your own Practice?

Visit www.InHomeRehab.com<http://www.inhomerehab.com/>.

Bring PTManager to your organization or State Association with a professional

workshop or course - call us at 313 884-8920 to arrange

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join and

participate now!