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We just rolled out our therapist driven protocols this past September. I will also say, initially our therapies decreased. However, now that most of our physicians use 'RT to eval and treat', our workloads have increased. We have been 117% productive for almost 5 months now. When a lot of our staff were thinking that we are entering our 'slow season', our numbers have not gone down. And we are all really happy about it:)

Hi Edda. Yes, eliminating unnecessary therapy can reduce workload and can reduce your need for staff. When I implemented protocols in the 90s as workload decreased, I eliminated vacancies and held a 70%/30% full time/per diem staff ratio.
But at the same time, some of our protocols, like ventilator weaning, asthma, post op atelectasis, and the therapist assessment group, utilized therapists more intently. We also found patients that needed our services that physicians and nurses overlooked. So its not all bad.
As therapists our primary concern should be for the patient.

Use this link to show your staff this powerpoint :
http://search.aarc.org/search?q=protocol+powerpoint&client=AARC_org&output=xml_no_dtd&proxystylesheet=AARC_org&restrict=AARC_org&site=AARC_org&img1.x=7&img1.y=10.
Who said that the only fear is fear itself???? Sometimes we are our own worst enemies!

had the same experience when initiating protocols, and the flip side-it will cause more work
we are now 80% general floors protocol driven (a couple physician hold-outs) but they are slowly seeing the benefits-both staff and physicians to the patients.