These days everyone is looking for ways to be more budget conscious. The real trick is to pay attention to the bottom line, but not skimp on those things that are necessities. This holds true in the therapy world across most disciplines, and occupational therapy is no exception. Necessity, as the saying goes, is the mother of invention.
With cuts in reimbursement becoming the norm, many clinics have decided to find ways to lower what they spend on equipment budgets. The article “OT on a Shoestring” in Today in OT magazine outlines some of the alternative tools that occupational therapists are using to provide a quality solution at minimal cost. When patients can use everyday items instead of expensive medical devices, the prescription becomes more palatable. This has pushed some OTs to become more creative in how they approach solutions for patients.
Common OT Tools and Everyday Alternatives
Standard –> Alternative
- Arm skate –> Beach ball, furniture dolly
- Dressing stick, sock aid –> Detergent bottle, clothesline and duct tape
- Incline board –> Panel board, telephone book, weights
- Jux-a-cisor arm exerciser –> Coat hanger, piece of PVC pipe and duct tape
- Over-the-door pulley –> Rope, socks, soup cans, PVC pipe
- Pointer –> Pencil with eraser, foam tubing
- Shoulder arc –> Hula hoop with plastic shower curtain rings
- Shower mitt –> Tube sock
- Stereognosis kit –> Tissue box, old keys, paper clips, coins
- Therapy clay –> Play doh
What creative and economical ways are you treating patients?