> > Curtis,
I think I would first speak with the client and/or her caregiver and explain what the treatment plan left by the regular OT states. "Tammy, the treatment plan Sarah left for us to work on while she is gone includes bathing. What do we need to do to make you comfortable? I will have a female (RN, LPN, Aide, etc.) present for the session." Could she wear a swimsuit while doing the bathing activity under your supervision? A simple one-piece should grant her (and you) the necessary modesty while allowing the activity to take place. Hope this is both timely and helpful! Breanne Johnsen, M.S. OTR/L > > > Message: 1 > Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:54:43 -0500 > From: "Curtis Marti" <[email protected]> > Subject: [OTlist] Difficult issue > > Dear Listserve, > > In my 13 years as an OT, I've never been confronted with this situation. > I have worked with adults and geriatric patients throughout my career. > In my best attempt to cover for a pediatric OT several days this week, I > have a treatment plan for a 15 year old girl that involves bathing. I'm > a guy, a guy that feels uncomfortable working on this activity with a > girl of that age group, where modesty is even more of an issue than is > in for older females. It goes without saying that I would have a female > present throughout the entire treatment involving bathing. But in this > situation, no other OT's are any more experienced in pediatrics than I > am and this patient has been assigned to me. Would I defer the bathing > to a non-OT? In so doing, I would not be following the treatment plan > and I would be deferring the training to a non-skilled professional. I > would appreciate any timely guidance that anyone could offer me. > > > > Thank you, > > Curtis > > > > > > > > > Curtis > Is it feasible to ask the patient what she wants to do about it? In the > best of all possible worlds the treatment plan would have been worked > out with her. Are there other things in the treatment plan? Is the > regular OT back next week? Can the bathing as part of OT be deferred and > performed by non professional staff? > > Joan Riches B.Sc.O.T., OT(C) > Specialist in Cognitive Disability > Riches Consulting > High River, Alberta, Canada > 403 652 792 -- * I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. ~Louisa May Alcott Breanne Hart Johnsen, [email protected] -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
