117 AusTOMs An Outcome Measure to Determine the Impact of Environmental Adaptations on Functional Performance

Abstract

Background Occupational Therapists routinely perform pre-discharge home assessment visits. The import of a supportive home environment to successful ageing has been established in the literature (Tanner, Tilse & Desleigh de Jonge, 2008), with housing adaptations and aids recognised as a method of promoting independence within the home (Stark et al, 2009). In this hospital, home assessment visits review functional mobility, functional transfers and assess for environmental barriers within the home. The purpose of this study was to detect any change in functional performance following a pre-discharge home assessment visit and implementation of OT recommended aids/railings or both. The AusTOMs (Australian Therapy Outcome Measures) for Occupational Therapy scale was used as the outcome measurement tool. Methods The study was applied to a cohort of 20 consenting inpatients over 65 years of age. Convenience sampling was used for the purposes of the study. Inclusion criteria comprised of patients that attended a minimum of one pre-discharge OT home assessment visit. It was conducted over a ten week period in 2018. The study was conducted by two occupational therapists (OTs) on the general rehabilitation team. The scale was applied to review the following functional transfers within the home environment on initial home assessment visit and following the implementation of OT recommended aids/railings. 1. Access2. Stairs3. Bed4. Toilet5. Bath/Shower6. Seating Results The group Average AusTOMs Resultant score at initial home assessment was 3.05. The group average score following implementation of recommendations was 4.08. This indicates a change in performance from a Moderate Limitation experience to a Mild Limitation experience. This is reflected in Paired T test results. The two-tailed P value is less than 0.0001. Conclusion The AusTOMs Activity Limitation/Transfer scale indicated there is a positive correlation with the provision of OT recommended aids and equipment at improving functional transfer performance within the home context.