EXPLORING THE ROLE OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) SETTING

Background: The role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been shown to improve patient outcomes (Dinglas, et al., 2013) (Truong et al., 2009) however the literature regarding the nature of the OT... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
The role of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been shown to improve patient outcomes (Dinglas, et al., 2013) (Truong et al., 2009) however the literature regarding the nature of the OT service provided in ICU is limited, and thus it is difficult to form conclusive recommendations of interventions for Occupational Therapists working in ICU (Hellweg, 2012)
Theoretical underpinning:
Under the PEOP model, the occupational therapist must take into consideration the person, environment and occupational interaction when planning and implementing an OT program. This model is made more complicated in ICU due to the shifting of the occupation to mere survival, in a new foreign and restrictive ICU environment. Therapeutic goals in this situation must shift to ensure the survival of the patient, and to prevent secondary complications.
Assessment / Intervention/ Technique:
This article will detail the OT process used including specialised assessments, personalised interventions, establishing rehabilitation goals, and discharge planning. Our aim was to prevent ICU acquired weakness due to prolonged bed rest in ICU and to promote cognitive and physical recovery by using meaningful functional tasks in the ICU setting.
Evaluation of outcome:
Our outcome measurement was goal driven. We set patient specific short term goals with the aim that these would be achieved before the person was transferred out of ICU.
Application to practice:
We would hope that this information could begin as a basis from which the Occupational Therapists role may evolve and expand in the future within the ICU setting.