Date Approved
11-13-2024
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy (Dr.O.T.)
Degree Program
Occupational Science and Therapy
First Advisor
Claire Dolislager, DrOT, OTRL, CLT-LANA
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
Over five million patients are admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) annually in the United States, with 50-70% of those developing debilitating physical, cognitive, and mental health issues. Occupational therapy (OT) is a holistic profession that provides evidence-based interventions to improve ICU patients’ function and participation in daily occupations by addressing early mobility and delirium. A needs assessment performed for the Kingman Regional Medical Center (KRMC) ICU revealed a lack of knowledge about early mobility and delirium prevention among nursing staff, underutilization and limited understanding of OT services, and KRMC-specific barriers impacting patient care. This author designed and implemented an educational program for KRMC ICU nursing staff to facilitate knowledge and understanding of current best practice for ICU patients. Seven participants attended the educational in-person skills session. All four survey respondents agreed that the content presented facilitated sufficient knowledge about early mobility and delirium prevention, how to safely mobilize patients, and OT services in the ICU. The Knowledge Translation Plan Appraisal Tool indicated that the program methods were effective, and that the author successfully translated knowledge with nursing staff. The program reinforces the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge translation, and continued educational opportunities about OT’s scope of practice and effectiveness for patients in the ICU.
ScholarWorks Citation
Lehman, Lyndsey R. MS, OTR/L, "Early Mobility and Delirium Prevention for Intensive Care Unit Patients at Kingman Regional Medical Center" (2024). Culminating Experience Projects. 526.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/526
