Innovative Ways to Provide Stroke Rehabilitation Intensity

ENHANCING REHABILITATION TIME WITH MORNING CARE IN THUNDER BAY:

In 2015, the collection of rehabilitation time for people with stroke in designated inpatient rehabilitation beds was made mandatory by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

A quality improvement project was implemented at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay to improve rehabilitation intensity time on the unit. The project team brainstormed with staff, clients and caregivers to find solutions to get closer to the three hour/day best practice target. Historically nursing staff had been providing the majority of morning care.

Based on feedback from staff, patients and caregivers, the team decided to focus on identifying clients who would benefit from therapeutic interventions related to their morning care routines. Many clients had identified personal goals related to increasing their independence with self care tasks such as grooming and dressing. The Occupational Therapists developed treatment plans, and along with Rehabilitation Assistants carried them out at 0800, which added extra rehabilitation intensity minutes to clients’ days. Since the initiation of the project, the facility’s rehabilitation intensity time has been steadily rising.

HAS YOUR TEAM CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING WAYS TO INCREASE REHABILITATION INTENSITY?

• Use a circuit-style program to provide direct therapy
• Engage staff, patients and caregivers in identifying opportunities
• Make as many daily activities as possible therapeutic

For more information on the St. Joseph’s Hospital initiative contact: Deanne Lee, OT, leed@tbh.net

Resources:

CorHealth Ontario – Rehabilitation Intensity Resources

Spring 2019 Provincial Rehabilitation Intensity Newsletter