Friday, April 19, 2024 | St. Lawrence County, NY
OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center’s rehabilitation services department is now offering Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine function loss and improvement for people who have …
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OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center’s rehabilitation services department is now offering Functional Capacity Evaluations to determine function loss and improvement for people who have suffered injuries.
Rehab services employees Ashleigh Graveline and Keith Warren are both certified BTE level two evaluators.
FCE provides what the hospital calls “an objective, reliable measurement of function following injury or disability, and can change the course of treatment and the effectiveness of early return to work management.”
The FCE, initiated early in the lost time claim, can establish and document residual capacity of the employee post injury and compare the post injury function to the physical demand requirements of the job. In addition, the FCE detail can be used to identify and target specific physiological deficit areas, which can be beneficial to the treating provider on medical treatment and intervention. The FCE plays a critical role in the case and claims management of individuals who have time away from work or require documentation of residual function.
Additionally, FCEs can provide employers a pre-screening of a potential employee’s functional capacity as it is related to the job tasks they are seeking. By providing objective data versus opinions, it also helps physicians determine if a person on disability is able to return to work or normal daily activities.
FCEs can be customized for individuals and be based on tasks in job descriptions. Some of the things it measures are joint range of motion, pinch gauge, fine motor skills, and hand grip strength.
“FCE clients can get an understanding of their own performance skills and physical abilities as it relates to returning to their job,” Graveline said.
FCEs are done on a one-on-one basis. Length of time to administer a test may range from 2 to 4 hours because test design is individualized. A physician referral is required. Appointments can be made by contacting Claxton-Hepburn’s central scheduling 713-5101. Employers interested in more information, should call 713-5660.
