REHABILITATION SERVICES
Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy/Speech Therapy
WELCOME to the Rehabilitation Services Department at University Hospital,
Cincinnati, Ohio. Within our department, we offer a wide range of services to our
patients for inpatient or outpatient therapy. Geriatric patients who are experiencing
the effects of a stroke, arthritis other debilitating conditions benefit greatly from
rehabilitative therapies. A referral for specific therapy should be made if your
patient demonstrates a deficit in one/or more of the areas noted in the referral
chart on page 3.
This introduction is to assist you in your duties while caring for patients using the
University Hospital. Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy are each defined.
How to refer for rehabilitation services is outlined. A chart is also included
identifying some of the problems may be encountering and to which therapy
specialty to make a referral. A WEB site is also listed where assistive devices for
specific problems may be viewed .
A. Definitions

Occupational Therapy, (OT), is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve
independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational Therapy gives people the
"Skills for the Job of Living" they need to live satisfying lives. Services typically
include: customized treatment programs aimed at improving abilities to carry
out the activities of daily living; comprehensive evaluation of home and job
environments and recommendations on necessary adaptation; assessments
and treatment of performance skills; recommendations and training in the use
of adaptive equipment to replace lost function; and, guidance to family
members and attendants in safe and effective methods of caring for individuals.

Physical Therapy (PT) is defined by The American Physical Therapy
Association as a form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects, and
alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction of anatomic or physiologic
origin. The primary objective of physical therapy is to promote optimum human
health and function. Working always in conjunction with physicians, physical
therapist are valuable members of the health care team, trained to improve
movement and function, relieve pain and expand mobility potential. Through
evaluation and programs of treatment Physical Therapy can maximize physical
function and provide preventive health care for adults and children with a
variety of needs.

SPEECH THERAPY is defined as, the techniques, strategies, and interventions
designed to improve or correct communication disorders are known as speechlanguage pathology. Speech disorders, which involve difficulty in producing the
sounds of language, and language disorders, which involve difficulty in
understanding language or using words in spoken communication, are treated
by speech therapists.
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B.
How to Make a Referral to University Hospital Rehabilitation Services
 Inpatient
1. Write OT, PT or Speech ordering an evaluation in the physician order section of the
chart.
2. Include appropriate activity order with referral, e.g. bed rest, or out of bed activity as
tolerated.
3. Include appropriate weight bearing status if upper or lower extremity is involved, e.g.
weight bearing as tolerated, non-weight bearing – left upper extremity or heel weight
bearing only. Weight bearing status is not an order.
4. Write Speech Therapy order and distinguish between speech and language evaluation
and treat. Identify dysphasia or swallowing evaluation and treatment.

Outpatient
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Write OT or PT evaluate and treat on prescription or referral form.
Include diagnosis and onset date
Specify duration and frequency of treatment, e.g. 3x week, x4 weeks.
Give prescription to patient to deliver to therapist.
Instruct patient to select their choice of therapy site and make own appointment.
C. Therapist Response to Referral
1. The prescribed therapist will reply to the referral within 48 hours to complete an
evaluation.
2. The prescribed therapist will design and document a treatment plan with specific
goals.
3. The patient will be followed as needed throughout their hospital stay.
- Therapy can be initiated in any setting including the Intensive Care Unit.
- Orders for therapy must be rewritten after any procedure requiring
Anesthesia.
D. Location of University Hospital Rehabilitation Services
1. Acute Care Rehabilitation Services are located on 2 – South.
Telephone: 513 - 584 – 4992
2. Outpatient Hand and OT Rehabilitation Services are located at the Spectrum Hand
Therapy Center at the Medical Arts Building, 222 Piedmont Avenue, Suite - 7100
Telephone: 513 – 475 – 8812.
3. Outpatient PT Therapy is located at the Spectrum University Sports Medicine Center
at the Medical Arts Building, 222 Piedmont Avenue, Suite – 2
Telephone: 513 – 475 – 8675.
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E. Referral Chart
PATIENT PROBLEM
• OCCUPATIONALTHERAPY
Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s)
Adaptive Equipment
Cognition and Safety
Fine Motor Coordination
Splinting
Upper Extremity Functioning
Visual Perception
PATIENT PROBLEM
• PHYSICAL THERAPY
Balance and Gait/ Coordination
Gait Training
Functional Mobility
Lower Extremity Functioning
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Posture
Transfers
PATIENT PROBLEM
• PELVIC FLOOR/ BLADDER TRAINING
Stress and Urge Incontinence
PATIENT PROBLEM
• SPEECH THERAPY
Aphasia
Augmentation
Cognition
Dysphasia
Neuromotor Speech Disorders
Voice Disorders
PATIENT PROBLEM
• Occupational Therapy
Physical Therapy
Speech Therapy
Behavior
Inhibitory Casting
Patient Family Education
Recommendations for Discharge
Strengthening and Endurance
F. Assistive Devices WEB Address
Www.ilp-online.com
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