Hello Everyone: Yesterday, I received a home health referral for a humeral fracture/tricpes tendon reattachement. By now, I'm sure most regular readers are aware of my stance on OT's NOT being UE experts. Interestingly, PT had already evaled the patient and said they couldn't do anything.
So, as I'm sitting there talking with the patient, I'm encouraging her to use her affected UE for daily activity such as eating, dressing, toileting. During this time, I'm thinking there just isn't much role for OT. The patient's concern is ROM and pain, not occupation. For sure, improving her elbow function will improve occupational performance, but the patient's concern is NOT occupation. As I'm sitting there pondering doing ROM, exercises and strengthening the patient tells me that her doctor ordered outpatient PT. Since patients can not be on home health while going to outpatient therapy, I discharged the patient. It was an awkward situation. The family and I discussed the differences between OT and PT and how some OT's treat UE injuries. Ron -- Ron Carson MHS, OT -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
