RESUMEN
PURPOSE: Patients in acute care settings may have limitations in their functional capacity associated with multiple morbidities. Occupational therapy can address factors affecting functional decline, and early and accurate identification of patients requiring occupational therapy referral can facilitate safe discharge. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of the Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral to identify the characteristics of patients who would potentially require occupational therapy referral, for use by acute care nurses. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using mixed methods. The Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral was completed for 305 patients by six acute care nurses across three clinical areas in an acute hospital setting. Data were analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric statistics. Semi-structured interviews were then conducted with these six nurses to understand their perspectives of their use of the Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral. RESULTS: Nearly half (45%) of the assessed patients had Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral scores recommending occupational therapy referral. Items associated with risk of functional decline were mobility, memory and recent hospital admissions. Barriers to referral included resource limitations, lack of visibility, poor understanding of occupational therapy and lack of holistic assessment of patients. CONCLUSION: The Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral could be used by nurses to identify acute care patients at risk of functional decline. Future research should include larger and longitudinal studies to validate the Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral further. Implications for rehabilitation The Modified Blaylock Tool for Occupational Therapy Referral could be used by nurses to identify acute care patients at risk of functional decline. This allows the early and accurate identification of patients requiring occupational therapy referral to facilitate safe discharge from acute care.