Every year in the U.S., millions of people are admitted to the hospital in the acute care setting. In 2019 alone, there were over 36 million hospital admissions. With each admission, many complications can present themselves. These patients may be at higher risk for hospital acquired infections, pressure ulcers, joint contractures, and complications related to […]
Frequently, I’m asked by new occupational therapists and OT students what a typical day is like working as an occupational therapist in the inpatient rehab setting. While there’s not a quick way to answer this question, I figured it will be helpful to at least lay out what happens in a “normal” day for me. […]
There are scenes many of us have experienced as occupational therapy practitioners at least once in our careers, no matter what setting you work in. You open up the supply closet and see the same old uninspiring materials. You find out a surprise discharge barrier and have to assess it ASAP. Your mind is drawing […]
The Person-Environment-Occupation Performance (PEOP) model was first developed in 1985 by Baum and Christiansen during the time when the biomedical model was widely used. The biomedical model is extremely clinician-based and only focuses on the physical processes (like injury or disease) and doesn’t consider the person’s individual factors. The PEOP model, however, focuses heavily on […]
Patients in the acute care setting are admitted with the goal of medical stability. Occupational therapists provide an important role not only in the physical rehabilitation of the patient while admitted to acute care, but also with providing the recommendations for post-acute care and discharge. OT is especially qualified for making these recommendations, as we […]
Occupational therapy has a unique and important role in the intensive care unit (ICU). A history of OT in the ICU, the environment, specialized equipment, diagnoses, and the importance of OT’s contribution in the ICU, as well as evaluation and intervention, will be covered in this article. Early treatment proposes the opportunity to decrease ICU […]
The occupational therapy discipline is built on several foundational theories that are fascinating, but also drawn out and extremely challenging to digest. So, we have decided to assist OT students and practitioners by providing summarized highlights of the OT frames of reference all in one location. But first, let’s get past some confusing terminology. What […]
When the clock strikes midnight on April 1st, I’m grateful for many things. I’m grateful for a day full of whimsical pranks and silly news articles that I can use to trick to my friends. I’m grateful that spring is coming into full force, with the landscapes around me turning a lush shade of green […]
Activity analysis is a key function of occupational therapy. It is what makes us occupational therapists. As an OT, do you ever think about why and how you analyze activities? Is it something that is just automatic for you, or do you use a formal system? How often do you use activity analysis to prove […]
Have you ever considered starting your own durable medical equipment loan program but you aren’t sure where to start? We’re featuring two OTs who have done just this and will show you how. Huge thanks to Hannah Wieger, OTR/L and Melissa Kimmerling, OTR/L for showing us the ins and outs of DME loan programs with […]