Occupational Therapy Terminology

Or as I'd like to call it, "OT Jargon". 

The first time many OT's open their first client chart, they become cross-eyed. I've come across at least 3 different ways to abbreviate the word "independent" and have written progress notes and discharge summaries ad nauseum. 

There are all sorts of abbreviations and symbols never seen before. It takes a lot of time to get used to but at the end you too can became familiar with "c/o, CBR, CXR, EOM, LOS..." and many more commonly used acronyms. 

Some time ago, I figured I should start making a list of all the symbols, abbreviations, and acronyms that I have come across and others that I might see in the future. Over the course of a few months and with the help of the Quick Reference Dictionary for Occupational Therapists by Karen Jacobs, EdD, OTR/L, CDE, FAOTA, I have compiled a list of useful terminology that might be beneficial to OT students, OTAs, OTRs, and even PTs.












(Credit for the above data goes to: Jacobs, K. (1998). Quick Reference Dictionary for Occupational Therapists. Slack Inc.

Comments

  1. UnknownJanuary 21, 2013 at 11:44 AM

    Wow this is great. Could you email this too?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 31, 2014 at 4:44 PM

    Any idea what an SU is? It in in context of client/patient. I'm in my 4th week of an OTA program. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jital Patel, OTR/L, CFPSFebruary 23, 2014 at 5:14 PM

      For documentation purposes "s/u" stands for "set-up". Some therapists write "SU", as you wrote and some use "s/u". Each facility has their own rules on the use of certain abbreviations. Just make sure it's acceptable in your clinic.

      Delete

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