re: Litigation

Tom — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:13:13 GMT

If a resident shows to have a significant status change and is documented by nursing then PT can be justified to pick up under Medicare. The question is if this resident should receive your time depending on interpretation of skilled service. When you can provide a service that can improve function, safety etc. that requires instructions and techniques that only a physical therapy professional can provide, this is skilled service no matter how high or low level as long as you can justify the need. When there is a change in functional status then that resident should at least be evaluated even if you feel to otherwise because they are not skilled enough. If you feel this resident has reached a maximum level of function, this should be conveyed to the evaluating PT, they need to decide if PT services is no longer required and proceed with D/C orders (if in house resident). I don't believe you should refuse to see a Pt because you feel they are not skilled enough. You may be surprised of surfacing functional deficets that would benefit from your skills