So begin many of the interactions that occupational therapists have with their patients in the acute care hospital setting. Acute care occupational therapy is the treatment of patients during the initial or critical stages of their hospital stay. Patients, ranging in age from neonates to geriatrics, can be from intensive care units, intermediate care units and general medical units. Patient diagnoses may include orthopedic surgeries such as total hip or knee replacements, neurological disorders such as stroke or multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular, respiratory or renal diseases and infections and sepsis. Bedside commodes, IVs, ventilators, rubber gloves, oxygen tanks and hospital gowns are all part of it.
Occupational therapists work with patients in the acute stages of illness.
Occupational therapists are often considered the upper extremity specialists. Referrals in the acute care setting often involve patients with upper body weakness following a stroke or cardiac bypass surgery.