RICHES Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
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AOL Transfer Training Program for Nursing Staff in the In-Patient Rehab Setting through Occupational Therapy Based Skills
Get PDFThis capstone is a project implementation of an AOL transfer training program for nursing staff for an in-patient rehab facility. The three objectives of this project include decreasing the overall number of client falls on the unit, increasing the self-efficacy of the nursing staff in regards to ADL transfers, and to educate the nursing staff on how to perform safe ADL transfers at a minimal assist level. Training videos were created through the collaboration of OT, nursing, and hospital videographers and were viewed by all nursing staff participants. Three hands-on training sessions for nursing staff were conducted by OT clinicians and included all types of ADL transfers at a minimal assist level. Data collection included the number of recorded falls before, during, and after the training program, and pre- and post-intervention questionnaires that were completed by all nursing participants. Results indicated a decrease in falls two months post-intervention and an overall increase in the self-efficacy of the nursing staff in regards to ADL transfers. In conclusion, this project was found to be overall beneficial to nursing staff and the in-patient rehab department through interdisciplinary collaboration
Elder Communication in the Skilled Rehabilitation Setting: An Occupation-based Alternative
Get PDFThis research focuses on the certified nursing assistant (CNA) population within the skilled nursing setting and their related understanding and use of intergenerational communication, specifically elderspeak. Principles of Occupational Therapy (OT) were integrated into an educational module that provided alternative forms of communication to foster a change in the interdisciplinary relationship between OT professionals and nursing paraprofessionals and to improve the experience of geriatric patients during their stay at a skilled rehabilitation facility. A twenty-minute in-service was implemented to educate CNAs on elderspeak and incorporate new communication techniques. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to assess the baseline knowledge and beliefs of the CNA participants, as well as to assess change in the knowledge and beliefs after the in-service was conducted. The findings of this research indicate that providing staff with alternative forms of communication may reduce the use of elderspeak and provide positive change related to staff and patient outcomes
Reshaping Minds Using an Occupational Based Approach
Get PDFHuman trafficking is defined as the recruitment, harboring, transfer, transporting, and receipt of a person using force or manipulation. Sex trafficking refers to engagement in sexual activity against one\u27s will followed by a lifestyle of physical and mental abuse. There are numerous social determinants that impact the health and wellbeing of youth. Due to a lack of community awareness regarding the risk factors associated with human trafficking, vulnerable youth are submissive to occupational injustice activities. The aim of this qualitative study is to educate Present Age Ministries (PAM) on the role and effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) to gain approval for a level I OT fieldwork opportunity. Occupational therapy is an innovation treatment approach to help survivors of human trafficking recover from past traumas while slowly transitioning into a meaningful and healthy lifestyle. PAM hosted two community awareness events regarding human trafficking and two informal interviews were conducted with their staff followed by two remote communication interviews with two OT practitioners to form a needs assessment to support the idea of incorporating OT into PAM program structure. A fieldwork manual was created to guide future level 1 OT students in assessing and treating victims and survivors using the appropriate OT practice framework to ensure sustained success. The findings of this study revealed that PAM has limited knowledge regarding the role of OT in combatting human trafficking. PAM will improve their health equity lens through collaboration with OT by assessing and treating social determinants of health associated with human trafficking
Enhancing MOT Student Fieldwork at the Community Free Clinic
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to development of a level I fieldwork manual to improve the structure of the occupational therapy student learning experience at Community Free Clinic. It aimed for the occupational therapy student to gain perspective and understanding of occupational therapy\u27s role in a unique setting to enhance organization and critical thinking skills to apply theory to practice. The manual is based upon the importance of establishing mutual respect, trust, and communication skills with other healthcare professionals to provide quality care and cultural competence to provide additional services to the people of underserved communities. Evidence supports that learning by doing develops these skills for student clinicians. This manual identifies and explains different models of practice, frames of reference, and assessment tools applicable to primary/community-based care, while facilitating service learning alongside an occupational therapist. The primary care fieldwork setting positively impacts the direction of growth as a discipline, to solidify a presence among other healthcare professionals of this area of practice
The Use of the Home Safety Self-Assessment Tool to Decrease the Risk of Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults
Get PDFOlder adult falls ages sixty-five and older are a major health concern in the United States of America. This project is an educational in-service provided through a power point presentation designed to educate community dwelling older adults on areas in their home that could increase their chance of falling in their home environment. This will be accomplished by using components of the home safety-self assessment tool. There are three main objectives which include: educating community dwelling older adults on various areas in the home that could lead to an increased risk of falls, suggest possible solutions, assistive devices, helpful products, and specific durable medical equipment that can be used in the home to decrease their risk of falls while performing their daily occupations. A pre-survey of twelve questions was given in order to obtain information regarding: how safe these individuals feel in their home, have they considered making any changes in their home to reduce the risk of falls, how many areas in their home do they believe could lead to a fall, and how many potential hazards could there be in various areas of the home that could lead to an increased risk of falls. After the educational in-service was presented a post-survey was given to determine: how beneficial the in-service was, how many areas in their home do they believe could lead to a fall, how many potential hazards could there be in various areas of the home that could lead to an increased risk of falls, and after the in-service would they consider implementing the recommendations suggest via the educational in-service. Results indicated that through the use of components of the home safety-self assessment tool, community dwelling older adults can identify areas in their home that can increase their risk of falls, identify possible solutions, assistive devices, helpful products and durable medical equipment that can reduce the risk of falls while performing their daily occupations. In conclusion, the overall project was found to be beneficial for community dwelling older adults in identifying areas in the home that can increase the risk of falls through components of the home safety-self assessment tool
Facilitating Early Engagement in Occupational Therapy in the Intensive Care Unit
Get PDFEarly rehabilitation for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been the topic of many current research studies. The efficacy of providing occupational therapy (OT) as part of the early rehabilitation/early engagement program has also been assessed, however many OT practitioners are not being utilized or viewed as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team. The purpose of this capstone project was to identify the main barriers that OTs face in the treatment of ICU patients through pre-survey; research current literature to identify solutions to the identified barriers; compile the research into a comprehensive document to present and disseminate to OT practitioners (specifically those working at UNC Medical Center), during a training session to assist them in the treatment of ICU patients; and to assess the effectiveness of the educational document/training session through a post-survey. As a result of this project, it was found that the educational document and training session proved to be effective and helpful for OT practitioners working in the ICU\u27s at UNC Medical Center. Results from the post-survey indicate that the OT practitioners feel more educated/knowledgeable regarding parameters/treatment options, empowered to self-advocate for greater involvement in the ICU, and feel more comfortable when treating ICU patients. Due to the results of this project, OT practitioners ought to feel compelled to continue to self-advocate and assert their important and valuable role as a member of the ICU interdisciplinary team
The Impact of Technology on Fine Motor Development In Children
Get PDFFine motor skills involve the coordination and refinement of small muscles that control the hand, fingers, and thumb. Children need to develop these skills along with dexterity and strength in order to complete important tasks including writing, self-feeding, getting dressed, and playing. With the abundance of technology and touchscreen devices available, there is evidence that children are spending more than the recommended time using a device and engaging in screen time. While there is evidence that the use of technology in children has increased, there is little research on the possible impact of this increased use on the development of fine motor skills. This study involved administering paper surveys to parents of children in kindergarten and first grade to determine use of touchscreen devices in home and various fine motor skills. Approximately half of parents reported that their child has a touchscreen device of their own and about 61 % of children spent 30-60 minutes a day using a touchscreen device. It was found that the majority of children have adequate fine motor skill development, however it would be beneficial to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of participating in activities other than screen time in order to prepare children for long-term academic success
Consultation-Based OT Services to Improve Complex Environmental Modifications: Perspective of Practicing Occupational Therapists
Get PDFOccupational therapists (OTs) are skilled medical professionals who use a holistic and clientcentered approach to improve one\u27s functional independence. Research demonstrates that consultation-based occupational therapy services between a client, OT, and building professional would benefit aging and/or disabled adults who are seeking complex home modifications. The objectives of this capstone project are threefold: to increase practicing occupational therapists\u27 awareness of an expanding area of need with \u3e50% of participants in agreeance that consultation-based services will increase a client\u27s level of independence, for OTs to report an increased familiarity level with relevant assessments and with the implementation process for consultation-based OT services, and to promote advocation/implementation of consultationbased OT services to serve aging adults and/or adults with physical disabilities who are seeking complex home modifications. Ten occupational therapists who serve adult clients and who have \u3e I year of work experience participated in this capstone project. Participants completed a pretest, reviewed an educational PowerPoint on consultation-based services, and then completed a posttest. One hundred percent of participants reported on their posttest that they agree that consultation-based services would increase client independence for disabled or aging adults receiving home modifications. There was a significant difference found between total pretest and posttest scores, indicating increased familiarity with relevant assessments and with the implementation process for consultation-based OT services. There was a significant difference in participants\u27 likeliness of either advocating for or implementing consultation-based OT services to serve aging adults and/or adults with physical disabilities who are seeking complex home modifications. Results of this capstone project support findings from literature and reveals that practicing OTs agree that consultation-based OT services will increase clients\u27 overall independence level. This project may serve as a starting point for implementation of consultation-based services for client\u27s receiving complex home modifications
Integration of Pet Therapy to Enhance Occupational Performance
Get PDFIndividuals with a Dementia diagnosis are on the continual rise in America. This debilitating condition remains incurable even with all the research and technology we have available today. Benefits of canine interactions have been demonstrated and it is becoming more common to incorporate canines into therapy practice. Canines have the ability to reduce anxiety and improve an individual\u27s overall mood. By successfully impacting these two variables, canine interaction enhance client\u27s potential and abilities tremendously. Canines provide an alternative outside of the box treatment method for clients with Dementia. Our role as an occupational therapist is to provide client centered care, while focusing on improving independence to maximize the client\u27s quality of life. If this objective can be accomplished through routine interactions with a canine, then clinicians should be incorporating this method into practice. It is often taken for granted the impact a furry friend can have on the influence of others, often offering qualities that clinicians cannot provide. The objectives of the study are to provide an in-service to the hospital staff based on evidence based practice and develop a protocol as to what it would look like if implemented into real life practice. To ensure these two objectives were accomplished, a pre and post survey was completed by participants of the in-service. A protocol of the program was provided as a handout prior to the presentation
The Benefits of a Screening Tool for Seating and Mobility During the Initial Occupational Therapy Evaluation in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Get PDFOccupational therapy practitioners are familiar with the idea that wheelchair positioning and mobility can have an impact on one\u27s ability to participate in daily routines and leisure activities, yet many times it is overlooked during the initial evaluation process. Residents of skilled nursing facilities who rely upon wheelchairs for their mobility are at a particularly high risk of developing medical complications, such as pressure sores, and respiratory issues secondary to long-term seated positioning. The purpose of this project is to create an easy to use wheelchair positioning screening tool to use on both long-term care residents and individuals who are admitted for rehabilitation. Five occupational therapy practitioners participated in this project, completing a pre-questionnaire, a screening tool, and a post-questionnaire. The results of the surveys and screening tool reveal the therapists feel knowledgeable regarding seating and mobility and agree that positioning is a key component in participation with meaningful and necessary occupations. This project highlights the need for further examination into positioning for this population, as well as taking a collaborative approach to discover the best practices that will deliver the most practical outcomes for residents of skilled nursing facilities