St. Bernards Elevates Emergency Care by Integrating Physical Therapy

JONESBORO, Ark. – St. Bernards Medical Center announced on Thursday it has incorporated physical therapy services within its Emergency Department (ED), the first hospital in Arkansas to add this extra layer of care. The strategic integration is designed for patients who may not require hospitalization but have still come to the Emergency Department with mobility issues or neuro-musculoskeletal diagnoses.

To properly care for these patients, a physical therapist (PT) within the ED identifies candidates for physical therapy services, performing assessments and beginning treatment when appropriate. If the patient does not need to be in the hospital, the PT can arrange follow-up outpatient appointments before the person leaves the ED. This process provides better care to the patient while also maximizing hospital resources. Furthermore, it potentially reduces unnecessary imaging, such as CT scans, and the number of prescription medications.

Advertisement
Advertisement

David Flores, PT, DPT, with St. Bernards Rehab Services serves as the hospital’s first PT in the ED. He said the position reflects St. Bernards’ efforts to improve patient throughput, enhance quality of care, support safe and efficient discharge planning, and exceed service expectations.

“My new role is a perfect way to bring specialized orthopedic, vestibular and mobility expertise directly to the patient at the most critical time,” said Flores. “Having the opportunity to help streamline care and safely get our neighbors back home quickly is incredibly rewarding.”

Flores, a Jonesboro native and graduate of Nettleton High School and Arkansas State University, joined St. Bernards in November 2021. Fluent in both English and Spanish, his presence in the ED enhances St. Bernards’ ability to quickly serve a wider segment of the community.

To launch the program, St. Bernards worked closely with nationally-recognized consultant Rebekah Griffith, PT, DPT, NCS, FAAOMPT, a strong advocate for emergent-based physical therapy programs. Dr. Griffith visited St. Bernards in October, evaluating the hospital’s readiness to implement its own program. She said that with a physical therapist in the ED, St. Bernards has the opportunity to reduce unnecessary admissions, improve patient and healthcare provider experiences, and build a reputation as a national leader in emergency department innovation.

“This launch is not the finish line — it is the beginning of a sustainable, transformative practice.” Dr. Griffith said in her final consultant report for the hospital. “St. Bernards has positioned itself not only to improve outcomes locally, but also to lead the way for ED PT practice across Arkansas and beyond.”

• For 125 years, St. Bernards Healthcare has upheld a mission to provide Christ-like healing through education, treatment and health services.
• Founded in 1900 and still sponsored by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, Arkansas, St. Bernards stands as an independent, non-profit, Catholic healthcare system that serves 23 counties in northeast Arkansas and southeast Missouri.
• The corporate parent of a number of healthcare entities, St. Bernards Healthcare includes three hospitals, including the region’s largest hospital, St. Bernards Medical Center.
• As a regional referral hub, St. Bernards Medical Center offers a 457-bed acute care hospital, complete with the region’s most capable Level III Trauma Center and comprehensive Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
• St. Bernards Healthcare also includes St. Bernards CrossRidge Community Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital in Wynne, Arkansas, as well as
• St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, the first hospital in Arkansas to receive Rural Emergency Hospital designation.
• For more information about the 125-year history of St. Bernards, please visit 1900.stbernards.info.