St. Bernards Elevates Emergency Care by Integrating Physical Therapy

St. Bernards Medical Center announced 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.

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.”