Occupational Therapy News OTnews May 2020 | Page 40

FEATURE COVID-19
Adaptation
through adversity
Gemma Viccars, specialist occupational
therapist in the Medicine for Older
People Team at University Hospital
Southampton, looks at the challenges
and changes posed in preparing for and
receiving a new wave of patients on the
wards due to coronavirus
T
he Medicine for Older People Team at University
Hospital Southampton comprises occupational
therapists, physiotherapists and therapy
technicians. The team specialises in the acute
rehabilitation of people with varied and complex physical
and cognitive dysfunction, but none of of the team have
experience of working with patients who have contracted
a novel virus, such as COVID-19.
As occupational therapists, we are masters of adapting
to change. But nothing could quite prepare us for the
challenges and changes that lay ahead at the beginning of
March this year.
After spending several weeks working tirelessly to empty
the six wards used to care for elderly patients, we were
‘ready’ to accept a new wave of patients; those of any age,
with complex medical backgrounds or none, but all with a
confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19.
These patients are either a successful step down
from the intensive care unit (ICU), those that require
40 OTnews May 2020
hospitalisation for their symptoms, but are expected to get
better, or those that have sadly deteriorated and are not
suitable for escalation.
These were unchartered waters. The next few weeks
were about to become an extremely steep learning curve.
Ultimately, regardless of the dysfunction, the
occupational therapy process remains the same.
Assessment of the patient, planning of the intervention,
execution of the intervention, and then review and/or
discharge as appropriate.
However, this time there were new challenges posed
that required drastic adaptations to our role.
First, the paramount necessity to wear personal
protective equipment (PPE) before any interaction with a
patient. This involves, at the very least, a surgical mask,
gloves, apron and facial shield. Not only is donning
this equipment a lengthy process, but wearing it is
uncomfortable and extremely hot. It proved to be a real
physical challenge.
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