Physical & Occupational Therapy : Occupational Therapy Acute Care

Inpatient Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Acute Care therapists treat individuals with a wide range of conditions when requested by the physician.  The Acute Care therapists provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients who are in the acute recovery stage following surgery or acquired illness.  Your Occupational Therapist designs your inpatient care plan to maximize the patient’s current level of function and to prepare the individual for the next level of care.

What conditions can benefit from Acute Care Occupational Therapy?

Acute Care Occupational Therapists work as an integral part of the inpatient medical team to treat patients with a wide variety of diagnoses.  Some of the common conditions treated by Acute Care Occupational Therapy inpatient care team are:

• Orthopedic conditions
• Post-surgical care
• Burns
• Multiple trauma
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Traumatic brain injury
• Hip replacement

Inpatient Occupational Therapy Services

Your Occupational Therapist will perform evaluations to determine baseline functional or cognitive status.  The therapist then designs a course of treatment with specific interventions and attainable goals to improve function and independence in daily activities.  In order to help reach these goals, your Occupational Therapist may utilize many different treatment approaches.  Some examples of therapeutic activities included in Occupational Therapy Acute Care are:

• Customized splinting to protect injury or for positioning
• Home and personal equipment evaluation and training
• Self care training
• Cognitive skills training
• Patient and family education
• Exercise programs to improve range of motion, strength and endurance

MUSC’s Acute Care Occupational Therapists work with your total healthcare team to maximize your recovery and to return you to independence in your daily life.