referals

I am currently on a burns ward and I am also involved in some outpatient classes for burns patients. A man who had been recently discharged from the ward, came to the clinic last friday. The physio that runs the outpatient department was unaware that he had an appointment because no referal had been sent down from the ward. Seeing as the gym was quiet she invited the patient to attend the session. The patient had sustained a burn to his axilla and thus the physio began some intense stretches to his upper limb. When I came in I recognised this man from the ward because I had written a referal for him that my supervisor said he would take care of. I noticed the physio doing the stretches and began uming and aring as to whether this was appropriate as he had only had a skin graft 3 days ago and thus should only be really doing active exercises. I decided it was my responsibility to let the physio know this because I was more familiar with the patient than she was because she had no referal and thus no guide to treatment. When I told her this man was only 3 days post op she immediately stopped the stretches and rung my supervisor up on the ward who told her he had forgotten to give her the referal and that I was correct in that he should only be doing AROM exercises and stretching should begin next week. I am so glad I trusted my own knowledge and told the physio about the patient otherwise the graft may have been damaged. From this experience I have realised I should trust how much I know and have learnt how important referals are and how they guide the refering physio on the expectations and plans for treatment.