In this episode, we delve into the critical nature of the first few weeks following a stroke and how the type of care and approach can greatly impact the outcome of a patient's recovery. Our guest, occupational therapist Cortney Jessee, provides a detailed overview of the inpatient rehab process, offering useful insights and tips for therapists, caregivers, and patients alike.
“The problem is that I think the whole purpose for this podcast being the no plateau podcast is again if we don’t start at those basics, we can’t get to our task specific training so how much are we being true proponents of the plateau. I think that’s the true plateau, not the myth of your first three months is where you are going to get the most outcome.”
Cortney stresses the importance of specific care within the first 72 hours post-stroke and the severity of subluxation in inpatient rehab. Drawing on her experience, Cortney elaborates on the need for proper positioning and understanding of anatomy to ensure optimal success for patients.
“If we know our anatomy and if we can show our caregivers and our patients what we are looking for in positioning and help them feel like they are not going to mess it up in what to look for; the outcomes are significantly more impactful. It also makes our jobs a lot more fun.”
Courtney highlights the impact of small things and offers practical tips for therapists to empower patients and caregivers. She also offers passionate words of encouragement for occupational therapists to embrace their impact on patients' lives and stresses the importance of consistency in a patient's recovery process.
“I just want to encourage any OT’s out there who are either starting their time in neuro or been doing it for a while that your jobs are impactful, no matter what part of recovery you are in someone’s stroke. And the little things matter. Going back to that 60-to-90-day mark, that’s wonderful. But how great would it be from days 0 to 30, to be a part of your patient’s foundation for optimal success. And I want therapists to feel empowered to do those small things for consistency in a patient's life and to give our caregivers and patients hope.”
In This Episode
Cortney Jessee's medical background and qualifications (01:25)
The patient's transition from acute stage to inpatient rehabilitation (09:26)
The critical 72-hour window after a stroke: common mistakes and best practices in hospitals (16:04)
An in-depth look at the Brunnstrom stages of recovery (20:15)
Separating fact from fiction: tackling the myths surrounding subluxation (24:50)
Activities for patients and caregivers to do in their rooms to aid in recovery (31:22)
Reviewing the studies conducted by Dr. Teazel (33:45)
Patient handoff and the role of transformative learning in transitioning to outpatient care (42:05)
Examining the 60-90-120-day timeline in stroke recovery (44:20)
Cortney's words of encouragement for occupational therapists (46:48)
Our Guest
Cortney Jessee is an experienced occupational therapist with over 6 years of specialized practice in inpatient rehab at Novant Health in North Carolina. Although she recently transitioned to outpatient neuro-rehab, she maintains a deep attachment to inpatient care and values the unique challenges and rewards it offers.
Resources & Links
Novant Health
Cortney Jessee on Novant Health
Henry Hoffman on LinkedIn
Saebo
On YouTube
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
Saebo’s Stroke Caregiver Support Group
Saebo’s Stroke Survivor Support Group
