Things we do for no reason: Consult physical and occupational therapy for hospitalized patients with normal...

Hospitalists often consult physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) for hospitalized patients. PT and OT improve patient functional status, the likelihood of home discharge, and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired conditions. Despite this, hospitalized patients with normal functional status are unlikely to benefit from PT and OT. Consulting PT and OT for patients with normal functional status may divert services from those more likely to benefit. Hospitalists should employ screening tools to identify patients with normal functional status who are unlikely to benefit from PT and OT and avoid consulting PT and OT for these patients.