In today’s Question of the Week, Jennifer Osburn, Clinical Consultant answers a question related to ambulation with an assistive device.
Q: I have a question related to ambulation with an assistive device such as a walker. The question is regarding independent vs. dependent when using an assistive device. While understand that there are many other factors to consider when using an assistive device, I understand that you can be independent with a walker or assistive device if you are ambulating with it safely. Staff can’t get past this concept to answer other questions, for example with Management of Oral Medications. It was basically a question of can you be independent with an assistive device such as a walker? Hoping you can help or direct me.
A: For the OASIS Functional Items, it depends on the item as to whether the patient can be independent with use of a walker or not. Each task has its own item-specific guidance.
The short answer is yes, if the patient is able to perform all the included tasks for the item safely with the use of the walker, then they can be independent with the walker. However:
- For the Grooming and Management of Oral Medications , they have to be able to safely ambulate to where the grooming items/oral medications are routinely stored/located, get the items needed to perform all the tasks listed, and then perform the majority of the grooming tasks independently and safely. If they needed someone to bring them the walker before ambulating for these tasks, this would be considered set-up at least. If they also needed supervision to complete either the walking to the area where supplies are stored or to assist with the listed tasks, or both, they would not be independent with these tasks.
- For the M1800 ambulation item, the patient could be independent if, once standing, they are able to safely ambulate with the walker without any assistance, on level and unlevel surfaces in the patient’s environment. IF the patient needs supervision for safety, they are not considered independent with ambulation with the walker.
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