Sample Goals

The primary goal for inpatient OT for a patient with a critical illness requiring intensive care is to maximize functional independence while minimizing impairments as a result of the illness and hospital admission. The predicted optimal level of improvement for these patients is to return to their previous level of function and resume their previous life roles.    

Individual and measurable goals should be formulated for each patient taking into consideration their medical, physical, and cognitive status as well as their own goals for recovery.   

Short-Term Goals

Anticipated to be met within 7-10 days. Examples of appropriate goals areas include (but are not limited to):

  • Patient will be alert and oriented to person, place, and date >/=75% of the time with minimal/moderate/maximal multimodal cues   

  • Patient will sustain attention x5/10/15 minutes with minimal/moderate/maximal multimodal cues to participate in grooming/bathing/self-feeding   

  • Patient will sustain arousal x5/10/15 minutes with minimal/moderate/maximal multimodal cues to participate in grooming tasks  

  • Patient will wash face with supervision or Minimal/Moderate/Maximal assistance using compensatory strategies as needed  

  • Patient will follow 1-step commands 100% of the time with minimal/moderate/maximal multimodal cues  

  • Patient will maintain sitting balance with supervision or minimal/moderate/maximal assistance and 1-2 UE supports for participation in ADL  

  • Patient will tolerate siting EOB x5/10/15 minutes to participate in ADL  

  • Patient will perform self-feeding tasks using compensatory strategies and AE with supervision/minimal/moderate/maximal assistance  

  • Patient will perform toilet transfer with minimal/moderate/maximal assistance  

  • Patient/family will demonstrate independence with home exercise program  

  • Patient/family will demonstrate independence with proper positioning of impacted extremities during functional tasks/rest to prevent loss of range of motion or contracture formation.  

  • Patient will tolerate wear of left/right/bilateral hand splints for contracture management 

Long Term Goals

Based on your facility, you can anticipate long-term goals to be met to be at any stage in the patient’s recovery—while inpatient, at rehab, or once they have completed all occupational therapy services for this episode of care (including rehabilitation, home care, and outpatient services). Goals will be in line with anticipated functional recovery. Appropriate goal includes (but is not limited to):   

  • Patient will be modified independent with all basic ADL at seated level.   

  • Patient will be modified independent for light meal prep.   

  • Patient will independently direct caregivers to perform ADL tasks 

  • Patient will increase BUE strength to WFL for participation in ADL 

  • Patient will sustain attention x15 minutes for participation in morning ADL 

  • Patient will independently sequence ADL routines 

  • Family will be independent in assisting Patient to perform toileting/bathing/dressing/grooming task