FEATURE COVID-19
To evaluate the success of the service , we measured patients ’ complexity and level of function through the use of outcome measures . By using both the Rehabilitation Complexity Scale and the Modified Barthel Index we were able to look at the impact of our intervention and holistic approach to practice had on our patients ’ function , in terms of complexity and dependency .
Outcome measures were completed for all patients on admission and discharge ; those who required transfer back to the acute hospital and those who were waiting for placement ( two patients ) were not included in the data analysis .
Providing intensive , short-term rehabilitation ( up to seven days ) led to significant improvements in patient rehabilitation outcomes . No patients had a reduction in their outcome measure scores from admission to discharge .
We believe that 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 .
This includes improved patient function on discharge , reduced care needs and reduction in equipment needs , reduction in costs associated with care and equipment needs , and increased quality of life for patients .
Job satisfaction As well as patient benefits , we also saw an increase in job satisfaction for therapists working on the Hospital to Home ward .
Many occupational therapists found that they were able to apply professional skills that they had not utilised regularly in previous roles ; including goal setting , enabling routine and utilising leisure activities as part of treatment programs .
Therapists explained that by seeing the positive impact that increased intensity of occupational therapy had on the patient population , as well as applying a rehabilitative approach through the use of multiple occupations , re-emphasised the importance of occupational therapy in treating those with physical and cognitive impairments .
This project ended when the bed capacity across the hospital had improved , and the increased bed demand was no longer required .
Taking the reablement / rehabilitation ethos and learning from this project , an ‘ OT rehab ’ project was conducted on one of the acute elderly care wards . This project continued for a further 11 weeks . A group of four band five occupational therapists worked extended hours on a seven-day rota , providing rehab through an enabling approach to activities of daily living , in addition to two occupational therapists working in their usual role on the ward .
Despite these patients not being ‘ medically optimised ’, being an older cohort of patients ( all over 65 ) and not having the Hospital to Home ward environment , the results from this project were also positive .
The team of band five occupational therapists worked closely with the nursing staff and healthcare assistants to improve rehabilitation and educate on ‘ enablement ’ and the role of occupational therapy on the ward .
Learning outcomes The Royal College of Occupational Therapists ( RCOT 2020 ) has suggested that rehabilitation has become a new priority in dealing with the pandemic . Patients recovering from COVID-19 will have emotional , mental health and physical needs for rehabilitation . In addition , patients with existing rehabilitation needs that haven ’ t been met due to the pandemic are likely to require rehabilitation in the future .
This suggests that going forward , occupational therapists need to be more rehabilitation focused in their care . The next steps following these projects are to :
• complete CPD sessions and share the findings of these projects with the occupational therapy department ;
24 OTnews December 2020