COVID-19 FEATURE
the information gathered indicates that we were able to improve patients ’ function and , in turn , result in better long-term outcomes in relation to welfare , quality of life and physical function .
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© King ’ s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provided specific assessment and intervention from 8am to 6pm , seven days a week .
Referrals were triaged by a senior therapist , with input from either the consultant or nurse in charge to ensure patients referred were therapeutically and medically appropriate .
A rehabilitative approach The therapists and nursing team ensured a rehabilitative approach to patient care on the ward . This was facilitated through thorough therapy assessments and individualised intervention , daily therapy-led board reviews , goal setting with every patient , data collection and use of outcome measures .
In addition to providing patient care , the band five occupational therapists provided peer support and education to the nursing team regarding the importance of rehabilitation . The occupational therapists also received training and support from the nursing team on taking and analysing patient medical observations ( vital signs ).
Working closely together promoted effective multidisciplinary team communication . The Hospital to Home ward also had access to a consultant and medical staff , speech and language therapy and dietetics to ensure patients ’ co-morbidities were managed appropriately and effectively to maximise their potential whilst receiving rehabilitation .
As well as access to therapeutic intervention over a 24-hour period , the patients ’ environment was designed to enable a holistic approach to their treatment plans , including access to a dining room , lounge area , kitchen and garden .
Patients were able to incorporate different leisure occupations as part of their treatment programmes and daily routine including cooking , creative activity , watching television , reading , spending time in the garden , knitting and completing puzzles .
The spacious environment also allowed for effective social distancing . Ensuring that the environment was optimised to offer occupational balance , meant that function and participation were also optimised through promotion of engagement in meaningful activities .
Benefits for patients The ward was open for eight weeks and 64 patients , aged between 26 and 95 years old , were transferred to the ward during this time ; 50 of these patients were discharged home from the ward ( 12 with no formal support and 32 with formal support ), and 14 of the patients required transfer back to the acute site , due to medical issues that could not be managed in the hospital to home ward .
The further six went to another facility , for example , bed-based rehabilitation or placement , which was planned prior to their transfer to the Hospital to Home ward .
The service ’ s aims included a seven-day length of stay , and the average length of stay on the ward was 5.35 days .
We saw a range of different patient populations , including post COVID-19 patients , step-down intensive care unit patients , orthopaedic patients , patients with neurological conditions and older adults with co-morbidities .
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