Advanced Acute Care Rehabilitation: Progress Task Execution, Independence, and Functional Mobility in Medically Complex Patients

Credit

Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Kirsten Davin, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, SMS, CAPS, CHSE, EMT-B, CFF-II Related seminars and products

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Dr. Kirsten Davin is a Clinical Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Baylor University, where she has served since 2019. In this role, she leads the development and coordination of Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences within a hybrid educational model, collaborating extensively with clinical partners across the United States to support student learning and professional transition.

 

Dr. Davin is recognized for her leadership in hybrid and simulation-based occupational therapy education, with scholarly and pedagogical interests focused on clinical education innovation, student readiness for fieldwork, and the integration of technology—such as simulated electronic medical records—into occupational therapy curricula.

 

In addition to her academic role, Dr. Davin has an extensive history in continuing education and professional training. Since 2007, she has served as a national and international instructor with PESI, delivering thousands of live and virtual courses to interdisciplinary healthcare audiences. Her teaching spans acute care rehabilitation, ICU management, splinting, assistive technology, seating and positioning, and clinical decision-making for medically complex patients.

 

Clinically, Dr. Davin brings more than two decades of experience across a wide range of adult and older adult practice settings, including acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, oncology, and complex mobility. Her expertise includes wheelchair seating and positioning, assistive technology, orthotics and splinting, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. She holds advanced certifications as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) through RESNA, as well as credentials as a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE), reflecting her commitment to both clinical excellence and educational innovation.

 

Dr. Davin’s teaching philosophy emphasizes the integration of functional, occupation-based practice with interdisciplinary collaboration and real-world clinical application.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Kirsten Davin maintains a private practice and has an employment relationship with Baylor University. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties with PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Kirsten Davin is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association, and the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.

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Objectives

1. Determine the critical elements of analysis and assessment in mobilizing medically fragile or compromised patients.
2. Construct an appropriate plan of care for patients who present with a critically ill cardiac, neurological, or respiratory diagnosis.
3. Distinguish the characteristics, similarities of, and differences between, patient level of acuity and methods to implement successful therapeutic interventions to restore function, participation in occupation and independence with each.
4. Demonstrate proficiency selecting appropriate outcome tools and measures for assessment of the acute or critically ill patient.
5. Assess several approaches to manage patients with challenging behaviors and design effective techniques to overcome cognitive barriers and encourage meaningful patient participation with therapeutic activities.

Outline

Physiological Changes in Acute Care

• Effects of immobility on organ systems
  • Respiratory | Cardiac | Digestive | Musculoskeletal
  • Early mobilization and intervention
• Reduced risk of delirium via mobilization

Ensure Safe and Successful Transfers and Mobility

• Decision-making algorithm
  • Justification for early mobility
• Weight-bearing restriction mobilization
• Specific mobility restrictions
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE) & Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Mobilization management
  • Chest tubes | Arterial lines | IV management
• Additional considerations
  • Vitals, labs & oxygen titration

ICU/IMC Specific Management

• Fecal management systems
• Various catheter types

Advanced Treatment Interventions For Improved Outcomes

• Orthopedically complex patient
• Cutting-edge interventions
  • Same day discharge
  • Shorter length of stay
• Transfer considerations
  • Alternative techniques for NWB
  • Transfers for all WB restrictions
• Burn injury across the lifespan
  • Burn management and surgical interventions
  • Trends in burn intervention
• Cardiac diagnoses
  • Appropriate therapeutic progression
  • Sternal precautions
  • Implementation of strength training
• Neurological emergencies and trends
  • TNK vs tPA
  • Management of the severe stroke with brief neurological deficits
• Respiratory and cardiopulmonary compromised patient
  • High-flow oxygen management
  • COPD
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Energy conservation

Interventions For Patients With Cognitive/Psychiatric Diagnoses

• Address the behavioral challenges
  • TBI | Dementia | Aggression
• Major depression and its impact

Outcome Expectations And Goal Considerations

• Short-term vs. long-term goal implementation
• Timing of reassessments
• Predicting the future

Create An Effective And Successful Discharge Plan

• Interdisciplinary approach
• Pros/cons of discharge destinations

Caring For The Caregiver

• Client-centered practice and inclusion of the patient’s support system
• Manage the challenging family/caregiver

Billing And Documentation

• Effective and successful documentation
• Document progression in patients with limited function
• Understand G codes, payment, and billing

Achieve Productivity

• Productivity requirements
• Current trends in productivity expectations

Target Audience

• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapy Assistants
• Physical Therapists
• Physical Therapist Assistants
• Case Managers
• Nurses
• Respiratory Therapists