Our Occupational Therapy Services

Occupational Therapists work with people to address issues that affect their activities of daily living, or ADLs. Their job is to provide therapy to increase one’s independence with daily activities, which may require helping one to compensate for an injury.  OTs see patients throughout all levels of care within a hospital setting, as well as treating patients for outpatient services. OT provides clinical driving assessments for those who lost their ability to drive due to an accident or illness, or who may have questionable driving skills. OT also provides ergonomic work area assessments to hospital employees as well as out-patients. For more information, please call 301.896.3169.

Driving Evaluations

Suburban Hospital's Occupational Therapy Department administers clinical driving assessments to measure a person's ability to drive safely. The clinical driving assessment consists of a clinical exam, computerized reaction time test, and visual acuity test. Once the clinical driving assessment is done, patients will be referred to a "Behind-the-Wheel" clinic to assess "road" driving skills. Once the full driving assessment is completed, the information is sent to the Department of Motor Vehicles for review.  Driving problems can be addressed with vehicle modifications, adapting when/ where people drive, and sometimes alternate modes of transportation for the person's well being.

Populations Served

Driving evaluations are appropriate for those with cognition issues such as memory loss and poor attention, possibly from dementia; those with an orthopedic diagnosis; amputees; those with a neurological diagnosis; geriatric patients; or those with vision impairment. This program will not be able to accommodate those who must sit in a wheelchair to drive, or new drivers.

What is included in a driver’s assessment?

A complete driving assessment is a two-part program. At Suburban Hospital, we will complete a clinical assessment, and then refer the client to an outside clinic to complete a behind-the-wheel test. Both of these evaluations are necessary for a complete assessment.

Referral Process

A person needing services may have a new diagnosis affecting driving ability, or concerns about their ability to drive safely have been identified. To have a driving evaluation, they need a prescription from a medical doctor for a "driving evaluation." Please include a contact name and phone number as well as a diagnosis. The client can then call Suburban Hospital at 301.896.3169 and set-up an appointment.

Cost

Please call us for information about the cost of this service. There is currently no insurance coverage for this service. Payment is expected at the time of service by cash or check.

For More Information

Please call our Occupational Therapy staff at 301.896.3169 or send a fax to 301.897.1347.