FEATURE ACUTE CARE
Communication is key
The requirement for PPE , and face masks in particular , is having a devastating impact on patients with hearing or communication impairments , says Lindsey Rigby . But there are some solutions and here she describes how she has been developing communication resources to support staff and patients
20 OTnews February 2021
There have been unprecedented changes this year to infection control practice and policy , not only in health and social care settings , but across our global community , due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
These changes include the need for increased use of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) alongside social distancing , which is now an essential part of our daily clinical practice to ensure patient safety .
However , face masks impede communication and are having a devastating impact on patients with hearing or communication impairments .
Occupational therapy assessments naturally require a large amount of verbal and nonverbal communication . It is vital that patients understand the reasoning behind our assessments and interventions , so we are able to attain informed consent .
Furthermore , verbal communication is essential to ensure therapists can gather an accurate picture of a patient ’ s normal level of function , complete accurate assessments of a patient ’ s cognition , and ensure patients , carers and their family can be involved in discussions about discharge planning .
PPE , and in particular the compulsory need for face masks to be worn at all times , has a significant impact on the sound and quality of a person ’ s voice , as face masks muffle the high frequency portion of sound that is essential to speech ( Goldin , Weinstein and Shiman 2020 ).
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