Physical Therapy
We offer physical therapy services for patients, birth to age 21, who are receiving medical care in the hospital setting. Our team of doctors, specialists in Physical Therapy, works collaboratively with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, focusing their focus on pediatric needs. Our goal is to promote independence, optimize functional mobility, and support the ongoing rehabilitation process.
In addition to addressing the physical aspect, our physical therapy in a pediatric setting also contributes to children's emotional well-being, giving them a sense of accomplishment, independence, and self-confidence. These benefits positively influence their mental health and ability to socialize.
We facilitate the transition back home and to school and provide referrals to other rehabilitation services if needed. We are also dedicated to educating parents and family members, offering tools, resources, and guidance to support your child's progress once they are home.
If your child is receiving care at University Children's Hospital and has questions about our inpatient rehabilitation services, please consult with the doctor, nurse,
or other member of the care team. The doctor can refer our services if needed.
What type of interventions does Physical Therapy offer?
Neurostimulation
• Neurologically depressed patients
• Gross motor development
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Therapeutic exercises and manual therapy
• Strengthening and mobility
• Orthopedic and/or post-surgical patients
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Activities of daily living
• Transfers
• Entrenamiento de ambulación, silla de ruedas u otros equipos​
Patients:
Pediatric patients benefit from physical therapy services by receiving specialized care that promotes their independence, maximizes their function, and facilitates their rehabilitation during hospitalization. These services help improve mobility, reduce pain, prevent complications from immobility, and strengthen motor skills, while the therapeutic team collaborates with families to support a proper transition home.
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Caregivers:
Physical Therapy doctors educate, provide tools and guidance to caregivers to support their children's progress. During the hospital stay, caregivers are guided on possible exercises and strategies that they can apply at home, in order to empower caregivers and make a smoother transition after discharge.
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Doctors, Nurses and Hospital:
The interdisciplinary team benefits from physical therapy services because they complement medical care by addressing functional and mobility needs. Physical therapists work closely with doctors, nurses and other specialists to create comprehensive treatment plans, improving clinical outcomes and collaborating on discharge planning.
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Residents:
During the year we have Pediatric Residents who rotate with the Physical Therapy Doctors as part of their neurodevelopmental elective. This experience allows them to gain a comprehensive understanding
of the therapeutic and rehabilitation approaches that are crucial for
the management of complex conditions during a hospitalization.
n addition, this practice enhances your ability to coordinate interdisciplinary care and address clinical challenges in your future professional practice.​​​
Who benefits from this program?
All our programs are measured by KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that allow us
to evaluate your progress. This allows us to continuously monitor and improve the performance of our services, ensuring that we meet quality standards and achieve the established goals efficiently.
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• Consistency n increase in patients and treatments per month
compared to last year.​
• Average number of therapies per patient: 4
•Increase in treatments per month: 36%
•Increase in patients per unit:​
• PICU: 15%
• Oncology: 35%
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• Surgery: 42%
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• General Pediatrics I: 59%
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• General Pediatrics II: 46%
• We have two full-time physical therapy doctors and one part-time
doctor.
2023 Data
• Continue to increase the number of patients per unit.
• Continue to educate the hospital community, including Puerto Rico's future pediatricians, about the value of physical therapy services in hospital care.
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• To continue offering services with the highest standards of preparation and excellence to our patients and families.
Goals of the Physical Therapy Program:
Testimonials from parents and caregivers to our therapists:
"I want to thank everything you did for Diego, you are a tremendous human being, one of the little angels that God has placed in his path, thanks to you and the Fundación Hospital Pediátrico for this excellent initiative. Without you, your first steps would not have been possible after a long month in intensive! Eternally grateful, many blessings and successes."
- Marisol De La Rosa, Diego's Mother
"Very good, excellent. He helped my little girl, Alondra, along with her partner."
- Celia Figueroa Cabezudo, Alondra's mother
Excellent physical therapist! Eternally grateful to her for having taken care of me super kindly during my hospitalization a few months ago! Thank you for your help!
- Yadier Lopez Alvarado, Patient
"I remember when Karla was in intensive care, even Johankier being in a coma from his accident, she moved her feet and hands. He gave him his therapies and two months later he walked through the corridors of the pediatric hospital. We remember you with a lot of love Karla."
- Edyarid Ramos, Johankier's mom