Title: A Descriptive Analysis of Acute Occupational Therapy Services Following a Lung Transplant from COVID-19: A Case Report 

Author:
Lauren Adrian, OTD, OTR/L
Tara Nykiel, MS, OTR/L
Catherine Gallagher, MOT, OTR/L, CDP

JACOT Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

Background
This case examines a 28-year-old female with a prior medical history of neuromyelitis optica admitted to our hospital in April of 2020 with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia. This patient was the first person in this institution to receive a bilateral lung transplant due to COVID-19.
Methods
A retrospective chart review was performed with the patient’s informed consent. We reviewed the patient’s demographic information and occupational profile, medical and rehabilitation courses, and details regarding specific interventions performed.
Results
The patient was admitted to the medical intensive care unit, promptly intubated and sedated and remained so until after receiving lung transplant. Occupational therapy provided skilled services from postoperative day 4 until discharge to acute inpatient rehab on day 25. Patient received 19 therapy sessions targeting self-care tasks, balance, and functional transfers, among other interventions. The patient’s functional performance was measured with the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC). This showed an increase in 9 points and correspond to a decrease in impairment by 56.46% over the 19 occupational therapy sessions.
Discussion
This case report describes the role of acute care occupational therapy in a patient who received the first bilateral lung transplant due to COVID-19 in this intuition. The patient exhibited significant improvement in functional status. They received early and frequent skilled occupational therapy services following a bilateral lung transplant.