Cardiac Work Tolerance Screening

The transition from inpatient to worker is often a difficult one for the individual recovering from an acute coronary event. While all activities are directed and closely monitored in the hospital, medical recommendations to the convalescent may be as general as, "do anything you want, within your limitations" or for performing work tasks, the occupational therapist may reduce a client's uncertainty and encourage him to maintain a health productive life. This paper describes the assessment procedure used in a community hospital occupational therapy department with a client recovering from an acute myocardial infarction. Method of job analysis, work simulation and cardiac monitoring which were applied in the assessment are discussed. The use of assessment results to assist the client in returning to his job as an elevator mechanic is explained.