Predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visits: Towards an evidence base

Abstract:

Background/aim: 

Predischarge home assessment visits are a commonly accepted, but little researched, aspect of occupational therapy practice. The aim of this research was to systematically investigate current predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices in a rehabilitation ward of a regional Australian hospital. Methods: 

A retrospective chart audit was conducted over a 7-month time period and included 227 patients discharged from the inpatient rehabilitation ward at the study hospital. Results: 

Fifty-five per cent of patients in the study sample received home assessment visits. At least one recommendation for change was made as a result of the visit for 99% of those patients receiving visits. A total of 139 visits were completed and resulted in 1179 recommendations for change. The median number of recommendations made for the home assessment visits was 10 (range 0-33). The most common types of recommendations, timing of visits, persons present during the visit and documentation of visits were also investigated. Conclusion: 

Although occupational therapy home assessment visits are routinely completed, there is limited research available to provide evidence-based guidelines relating to predischarge occupational therapy home assessment visit practices. Recommendations for future practice and areas for further research into occupational therapy home assessment visits are discussed.

Keywords: discharge planning; evidence-based practice; home assessment visits; occupational therapy; rehabilitation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2007.00684.x

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Health Research and Psycho-oncology (CHeRP), The Cancer Council NSW, University of Newcastle, and 2: School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, Centre for Rural Mental Health, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia