Occupational Therapy at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre

The Centre is a 122 bed rehabilitation campus of the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Central Northern Adelaide Health Service.

There are 11.6 full time equivalent (FTE) Occupational Therapist positions and 2.5 FTE Paramedical Aide (PMA) positions.

Occupational Therapists (OTs) on this site are part of the Royal Adelaide Hospital Occupational Therapy Department.

CLINICAL AREAS

The areas provided with Occupational Therapy Services at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre are:

• Medical Rehabilitation
  25 bed unit comprised largely of patients with neurological conditions (particularly stroke) and some complex medical conditions. Inpatient rehabilitation services are provided by 2.8 FTE OTs and 0.5 FTE PMA.
• Short Term Rehabilitation
  17 bed unit comprised of patients with various medical diagnoses, including people who require a period of rehabilitation following a medical illness or post surgery in order to return home. Inpatient services are provided by 1.4 FTE OTs.
• Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
  25 bed unit comprised of patients who have spinal cord injuries. Inpatient rehabilitation and some outpatient services are offered. OTs are also involved in multi-disciplinary seating clinic - which is accessible to current clients of Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. There are 3.8 OT and 1.98 FTE PMA positions for this unit.
• Orthopaedic, Amputee & Burns Rehabilitation
  25 bed unit for patients with disabilities related to orthopaedic conditions/or trauma amputations, multi-trauma and burns. Inpatient rehabilitation services are provided by 1.8 FTE OTs and 0.1 FTE PMA.
  

SERVICES PROVIDED

Services provided by Occupational Therapists at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre are dependent upon the needs of individual patients in the various clinical areas. They are also determined by the patients' own views about the tasks they need to perform independently and the skills they regard as valuable to learn.

Occupational Therapists encourage patients to be actively involved in setting their own goals and the services provided aim to assist them to achieve these.

Examples of services include:

Assessment of the patient's ability to perform and participate in relevant daily living tasks such as personal care (eg bathing, dressing, feeding), household and community tasks, leisure and work. Includes assessment of the patient's skills that may affect their ability to perform these tasks.

Assessment and prescription of equipment such as wheelchairs and pressure care cushions. Also equipment &/ or aids to assist with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating and preparing meals.

Training in the use of aids and equipment is provided.

Assessment and treatment of hand and upper limb (arm) problems which affect the patient’s function. This involves development of hand skills and may also include use of splints to maintain/improve hand position. Education of family/carers regarding patients' needs and abilities. Home assessments (visit) to assess the patient’s function in their home environment including safety and level of independence. Community services, home modifications and equipment required for discharge is also assessed.

• Discharge planning along with other members of the health care team. This includes involvement in regular team meetings and referrals plus discussion with community service providers. The aim to assist the person to return home with appropriate supports and services in place.
• Provision of advice to external enquirers on areas of clinical expertise as appropriate.

SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS

• Goal attainment outcome measures.
• Clinical indicators for manual wheelchair prescription.
• Complex equipment prescription.
• Widespread use of OT specific occupational performance (functional) measures in rehabilitation (e.g. AMPS - Assessment of Motor & Process Skills, COPM - Canadian Occupational Performance Measure).

The OT Department at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre is committed to:

• Staff development (training).
• Continual upgrading of staff knowledge and expertise regarding equipment prescription and home modifications.
• Ongoing quality improvement.
• Evidence-based practice.

REFERRAL PROCESS TO OT

• A blanket referral system for inpatients exists in the spinal cord injury, short term rehabilitation and medical rehabilitation units.
• Individual referrals are required in the orthopaedic, amputee & burns rehabilitation unit.
• Referral is required for outpatient services:
  • Spinal cord injury outpatients
  • Seating clinic
• can be made directly by patients actively involved with Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre or via a doctor.