Developing Occupational Therapy Best Practice Guidelines for Acute Medical Services

Abstract

Occupational Therapists began exploring their role in Acute Medicine in the late 1990’s.1 A decade later the presence of Occupational Therapists in accident & emergency departments and acute medical units is seen as routine. The literature and evidence base to support this, however, has not progressed as rapidly. With few guidelines to support practice the authors produced a document locally to promote standardisation of good practice and equity of treatment within all relevant NHS Lothian and NHS Borders sites. A table illustrates the specialist skills necessary for Occupational Therapy in Acute Medicine and appendices outline components of various assessments. It is hoped that as therapists progress through the flow chart they can utilise further sections of the guidelines related to specific assessments. This article will introduce the reader to the occupational therapy process in acute medicine and describe the guidelines that are currently in use.

Enhanced Care Units: Guidance on development and implementation within Acute Medicine

“…The therapy service should be provided in line with the SAM Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Service in AMU Guidelines. 17 Physiotherapy staffing ratios will depend on the acuity of the unit and may vary depending on this. ECUs will require more intensive physiotherapy staffing than AMUs, general or unenhanced respiratory wards.…”