Integrating Infection Prevention and Occupational Therapy to Improve Rehabilitation Outcomes Among Medically Vulnerable Patients

Vollständiger Abstract

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Healthcare-associated infections remain a major threat to patient safety, recovery, and continuity of care, particularly among medically vulnerable populations whose underlying conditions, reduced immunity, prolonged hospitalization, or functional limitations increase susceptibility to infection. Rehabilitation services must therefore balance intensive therapeutic participation with measures that minimize exposure, transmission, and preventable complications. This paper examines the integration of infection prevention principles with occupational therapy as a coordinated approach to improving rehabilitation outcomes among medically vulnerable patients. It considers how hand hygiene, environmental sanitation, personal protective equipment, equipment decontamination, transmission-based precautions, and patient education can be incorporated into occupational therapy assessment and intervention without unnecessarily restricting functional engagement. Particular attention is given to individualized risk assessment, activities of daily living, adaptive equipment use, mobility, caregiver involvement, and safe transitions across care settings. The integrated approach emphasizes interdisciplinary communication and patient-centred decision-making to maintain therapeutic intensity while reducing infection-related disruptions. By aligning infection prevention with functional rehabilitation goals, occupational therapists can support safer participation, preserve independence, reduce avoidable setbacks, and strengthen recovery among patients experiencing heightened clinical vulnerability.