Hospital Course Overview-PT/OT

Inpatient

• Upon your admission to the hospital, evaluation(s) will be completed by Physical Therapy for lower extremity burn or donor site and
  Occupational Therapy for upper extremity/back/chest/face burn
• If a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) is performed, the grafted extremity will be immobilized for 3 days.
• With only a donor site on the lower extremity, a patient will be out of bed and ambulating on post-operative day 1.
• PT/OT will follow the patient throughout hospitalization for stretching of joints/burn/STSG/donor site, maintaining or increasing activity tolerance, functional transfers and ambulation, education regarding ace wrapping and scar formation/management, discharge planning and recommendations.
  

Outpatient

• If a patient was followed by PT and/or OT as an inpatient, they will more than likely need to be followed on an outpatient basis in our burn clinic for:
  • continued stretching and treatments directed toward increasing independence with functional ability and mobility.
  • Scar management via compression garments and scar massage
  • Desensitization of scars as needed
  • Referral for work conditioning /outpatient services as indicated
    

**Although a patient is followed by rehabilitation services as an inpatient and outpatient, successful outcome is ultimately dependent upon the patient. For example, a patient is seen five times a week while hospitalized, and then once weekly as an outpatient. This is NOT ENOUGH to maintain range of motion and function. The patient must perform stretching/range of motion and mobility independently throughout day, every day, for optimal success.**