Sally Harris1, Erica James, Pamela Snow. 1. Department of Health and Environment, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Victoria, Australia. sharris@bendigohealth.org.au
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: Predischarge home assessment visits are a commonly accepted, but little researched, aspect of occupational therapy practice. The aim of this research was to systematically investigate current predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices in a rehabilitation ward of a regional Australian hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart audit was conducted over a 7-month time period and included 227 patients discharged from the inpatient rehabilitation ward at the study hospital. RESULTS: Fifty-five per cent of patients in the study sample received home assessment visits. At least one recommendation for change was made as a result of the visit for 99% of those patients receiving visits. A total of 139 visits were completed and resulted in 1179 recommendations for change. The median number of recommendations made for the home assessment visits was 10 (range 0-33). The most common types of recommendations, timing of visits, persons present during the visit and documentation of visits were also investigated. CONCLUSION: Although occupational therapy home assessment visits are routinely completed, there is limited research available to provide evidence-based guidelines relating to predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices. Recommendations for future practice and areas for further research into occupational therapy home assessment visits are discussed.
BACKGROUND/AIM: Predischarge home assessment visits are a commonly accepted, but little researched, aspect of occupational therapy practice. The aim of this research was to systematically investigate current predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices in a rehabilitation ward of a regional Australian hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart audit was conducted over a 7-month time period and included 227 patients discharged from the inpatient rehabilitation ward at the study hospital. RESULTS: Fifty-five per cent of patients in the study sample received home assessment visits. At least one recommendation for change was made as a result of the visit for 99% of those patients receiving visits. A total of 139 visits were completed and resulted in 1179 recommendations for change. The median number of recommendations made for the home assessment visits was 10 (range 0-33). The most common types of recommendations, timing of visits, persons present during the visit and documentation of visits were also investigated. CONCLUSION: Although occupational therapy home assessment visits are routinely completed, there is limited research available to provide evidence-based guidelines relating to predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices. Recommendations for future practice and areas for further research into occupational therapy home assessment visits are discussed.