Walking Home from the ICU

Translating the ICU with Stephen Ramsey Part 2: ICU Case Study

Guest: Stephen Ramsey, PT

In Part 2 with Stephen Ramsey, physical therapist and ICU mobility expert, the discussion dives into a complex cardiothoracic ICU case Stephen presented at APTA's CSM conference.

Using the MENTOR framework, Stephen walks through how rehab clinicians should approach critically ill patients — from chart review to interdisciplinary communication to real-time clinical decision-making.

A structured approach for PT/OT clinical reasoning in the ICU:

• M – Map the Story: Thorough chart review and understanding the patient's full history
• E – Expose the Unknowns: Identify gaps and questions before entering the room
• N – Narrate Your Reasoning: Verbalize your clinical thinking to colleagues and the medical team
• T – Test the Theory: Treat PT/OT as an assessment, not just an intervention — mobilize to observe physiologic response
• O – Observe for Signals: Monitor real-time hemodynamic and respiratory responses
• R – Review with the Team: Debrief after every session, whether it went well or not

Stephen walks Kali and the audience through a real case study using the MENTOR framework.