Henry Ford Rehab: Cognitive Dysfunction in the Medically Complex Patient

Course Description: This course was designed to assist therapists with developing a greater understanding of functional cognition and cognitive deficits of critically ill patients. We will also focus on the importance of identifying ICU delirium and how it can be prevented and treated.

Objectives

1. Identify the impact of cognitive dysfunction on patient function and outcomes  
2. Understand causes of cognitive changes in the patient  
3. Identify subtypes of delirium  
4. Identify strategies that can be implemented to help prevent delirium 
   

Presenter: Kara Luplow, OTR/L is a 2006 graduate of Saginaw Valley State University with her bachelor’s of science degree in Occupational Therapy and has spent her career working at Henry Ford Hospital, a level 1 trauma center in Detroit, MI. She has worked exclusively with patients with a variety of critical illnesses in the medical and surgical ICU. She was instrumental in developing a thriving early rehab program with critically ill patients involving collaboration with PT, RN, nursing leadership, respiratory therapy, and physicians. She fosters interdisciplinary relationships by negotiation and consensus building to attain goals for all disciplines. She has led a research team to establish best practice techniques in regards to delirium. She has spent the last few years focusing her attention and efforts in promoting OT’s involvement in identifying delirium and cognitive decline early in the hospital stay. Kara has presented professionally at MiOTA and Johns Hopkins conferences.