The timeliness of the ancillary services of physical therapy and
speech/cognitive therapy also improved following the implementation
of the TBI protocol. Prior to program implementation, physical therapy
consults were consistently completed on day three or four from date
of admission. Te intensive physical therapy program provided the
opportunity for patients to gait train and ambulate twice daily in the
physical therapy department, and on an every two-hour basis on the
nursing unit, which enhanced physical strength and independence and
promoted regulation of sleep-wake cycles. Findings also support that
the increase in timing stems from consistency of consult requests at
time of admission as well as the recognition of TBI patient priority by
the physical therapy department staff (Figure 2).