Burns can be caused by heat, hot liquids, strong chemicals, electricity and radiation. They are measured by the amount of body surface that has been burned, the burn degree, and their depth or thickness. Burns are classified in stages as first, second, third or forth degree, depending on how deeply the layers of skin (dermis and epidermis) are damaged.
This is a fact sheet provided by AOTA that describes the role of occupational therapy in palliative care. It describes how "depending on the stage of the disease process or terminal illness, clients may receive palliative care for months or even years". The information provided also lists OT interventions related to palliative care in the areas of ADLs, IADLs, rest and sleep, play, leisure and social participation, and interpersonal.
Also, look for tasks that can be done better by someone with a different set of
skills. For example, if you are a self-employed consultant, a trained bookkeeper
is more likely to do a better job handling your accounts than you are.
Introduction: There is a limit to the amount of work that you can do on your own. There is only so much value that you can deliver to your organization without the help of other people. If you are successful in your career, at some stage the demands on you will become greater than you are able to cope with on your own.
By Saul Morris, PhD If you have had an amputation or are going to have one, let me assure you that others have already gone through the same experience. You may be feeling physical pain, fear, apprehension, loneliness, uncertainty and sadness but I can assure you that you will make it though all of this.
You can search this website for proposed laws and what stage they are in during the process of being passed. You can also get email alerts when actions are taken on selected bills. This is an easy way to track proposed health care laws.
A very interesting article about OT and treatment of burns. In her case OT started after the patient was stable and able to do therapy every day. She states that the healing process can take years for the patient. Scar care, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, and strengthening were all discussed. It was noted that scar tissue and adhesions are very painful. A very important point was the planning for discharge and taking in all aspects of independence.
This article was written by a therapist working in acute rehabilitation. She talks about compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting and why it's important, stretching for range of motion and strengthening.
"OT in the Burn Unit" is an article written by Sarina Piergrossi which outlines her first experience as an OT with a burn victim. She describes the process she underwent to insure proper treatment for this patient in the different stages of care required by burn victims. The different treatment types described include compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM/strengthening and conditioning exercises, and then planning for discharge. Another service offered at Kessler Institute (where this therapist worked) is they allow the patients to travel out into the community with a therapist in order to assess future needs with ambulation, wheelchair mobility, etc. It was very interesting to know that this OT felt at a little anxious about receiving her first burn victim as I am feeling the same sense of anxiety regarding treating patients for the first time as we head out into our field work.
Many oncology patients also experience burns. OT works with these patients as well as other burn trauma patients. I'm finding that I really like this website as I have used it for several other bookmarks. In this article, an OT practitioner breaks down specific intervention techniques that an OT may do with a burn victim as well as planning for discharge. She also discusses how she co-treated with a PT practitioner on her first burn patient which was interesting to read about a treatment team working together.
Burn care is a highly specialized field. It can be intimidating. There is a lot to learn and be aware of. Read this article to see how a young therapist treated his first burn victim. This is also an example of co-treating with PT. I personally love the idea of co-treatment. Two are usually better than one.
This is an excellent article detailing OT's involvement in the treatment of burns. Different settings and invention techniques are outlined. Great resource for anyone working with burns.
This article gives information about the cycle of treatment (entering acute rehab, compression therapy, skin lubrication, splinting, ROM, strengthening & conditioning, and planning for discharge) for burn patients in acute rehab.
This is pretty amazing. Although this method is in the trial stages it is able to repair burns within 4 days. I am not sure if it depends on the level of burns but this guy has second degree (partial thickness) and this treatment was very successful.
Wendy is here at any stage of your journey. She runs group sessions to build up your confidence and focuses on physical rehabilitation, working towards to her group's personal goals. Wendy runs hydrotherapy sessions in the swimming pool and provides tai chi classes to help with stress management. We're here to support you however you may need us.
This is a really great article form AOTA about the Occupational practitioners role in rehabilitation for someone with an UE amputation. It breaks the rehabilitation down into stages: Acute Phase --> Pre-Prosthetic Training Phase --> Basic Prosthetic Training Phase --> Advanced Prosthetic Phase--> Discharge Planning
This is just a brief fact sheet from the AOTA on UE amputations and OTs role in the treatment of clients living with one. There is statistical information regarding amputations, how OT can help, and OTs specific role in the treatment.
Tons of information of UE amputation! Might be a good handout to give to a patient on educating how you are going to help them throughout the road to recovery. It also talks about prosthesis training when you get to that point in therapy.