Role of Occupational Therapist in Chronic and Complex Nursing Care

Running head: REPORT
NRS223 201960 Essential nursing care: chronic and complex nursing
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STUDENT NAME STUDENT NUMBER 1
Part 1- ISBAR referral to healthcare professional
Introduction- I am XXX, a community nurse. I reside at ... and have been contacted by the
General Practitioner for management of a chronic condition in a patient. I have been entitled
with the duty of conducting a comprehensive review of the chronic condition with which the
patient has been affected, under the Team Care Arrangements. The patient is a 48 year old
female, named Mrs. Helena Jones.
Situation- I am contacting the occupational therapist since the healthcare professional has the
primary role of treating the ill, disabled or injured patients through the therapeutic utilisation
of regular activities. In addition, occupational therapist will also provide assistance to Mrs.
Helena Jones for developing, recovering and improving the skills that are imperative for daily
working and living.
Background- Mrs. Jones has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis since the last 13 years
and gradually developed severe weakness in her lower extremities. The deterioration of her
condition necessitated the use of a walking stick for mobilisation. She had previously been
subjected to percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy a year ago. She received a ‘Jevity with
Fibre’ feed of 60ml/hour through a kangaroo pump, and also uses incontinence pads. She has
also been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Current medications include paracetamol (via PEG
feed tube), gliclazide tablets, escitalopram, inferno beta, and morphine. She has a history of
allergies.
Assessment- She is no longer able to stand or walk. She also reports problems in holding
objects in her hands, signs of dizziness and spinning, numbness in right hip, urinary
incontinence, and permanent loss of sight in the right eye. She uses a wheelchair due to
complete loss of balance, and requires assistance for standing during showering. In addition,
problems are also faced during swallowing of food.

STUDENT NAME STUDENT NUMBER 2
Recommendations- The healthcare professional will assist Mrs. Jones in performing routine
activities of daily living such as, cooking, showering and getting dressed. The occupational
therapist must assess the work environment of the patient for identification of potential
hazards, besides developing a functional environment that will be able to meet her needs.
Recommending particular assistive devices or special equipment for walking, demonstrating
the usage of adaptive equipment like braces and orthotics, and providing assistance with
scheduling, budgeting and daily planning are some other recommendations. In addition, the
healthcare professional will also be required at the time of ensuring that the treatment goals
are being met. The professional will also play an important role in recommending particular
exercise to the patient for strengthening her fine motor skills, mental alertness, and
coordination. Help will also be required at the time of consuming medications for the chronic
illnesses that the patient is currently suffering from.