My Thoughts on "Occupational Therapy in the ICU: An Interview with an ICU OT"

 I chose to read the article “Occupational Therapy in the ICU: An Interview with an ICU OT”, written by Sarah Stromsdorfer, OTR/L, due to my curiosity about the use of occupational therapy in an ICU. Before reading the article, I knew little to no information about what an occupational therapist actually does in the ICU. In the article, Stromsdorfer interviewed an ICU Occupational Therapist, Abby Lefkove, OTR/L. Lefkove talked about what her job is like working in an ICU and the many aspects that come along with it.  

She explained how there is an abundant amount of diagnoses that she sees on a day to day basis. Although there are many different diagnoses, Lefkove talked about her main focus being mobility and she claims that this is the intervention she typically does. The type of mobility depends on how stable the patient is or how much they can tolerate. Before reading this article, I did not realize how much mobility therapy was involved in ICU patients. I also did not realize how important it can be for patients to participate in. Lefkove explains how moving is a very stimulating activity and allows for multiple muscles to work at once. 

Lefkove also talks about how education is a big part of working as an occupational therapist in the ICU. She claims that she is constantly educating patients as well as their family members and/or caregivers. She expresses how education is most prevalent when dealing with neuro patients. When educating, Lefkove also explains that discussing the process of rehabilitation is essential. 

In the article, Lefkove also gives tips and pointers for occupational therapists who are looking to work in an ICU. This part of the article allowed me to get a take away on what I will need to know if I were to work in an ICU. She emphasizes the importance of knowing what the goals are for your patient. She also talks about how it is essential for you to be knowledgeable on things like lab values, surgical procedures, precautions, tests, imaging and pulmonary status. If you are not knowledgeable on these topics, it can be hard to know what to do with the patient and what not to do. One piece of advice that I found interesting was to be conservative with your patients. Lefkove claims that if you are in doubt, do not do it because you do not want to do any harm. I found this to be a great piece of advice. 

Stromsdorfer, S. (2021, January 20). Occupational therapy in the ICU: An interview with an ICU OT. myotspot.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.myotspot.com/occupational-therapy-icu/