Ask the Experts
Quick therapy questions from you, answered by our expert speakers.
A: Lisa Miliken – “You could trigger an investigation. Or if a surveyor found that error, they could fine the facility and withdraw the Medicare or 3rd party reimbursement. If you find an error like that, its always best practice to back out the charges yourself and resolve the situation to make it right. Always document for services for the actual day of treatment. Whether or not you face action will depend on the OIG auditor and the state or federal surveyer.I’ve seen it go both ways… If you prove you were honestly trying to do the most ethical thing, they may just fine the facility and watch to make sure it doesn’t happen again. But if they think you’re trying to cover something up, they may continue to investigate until they could take your license. I’ve also seen a lot of companies just fire the therapist in question.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “Maintaining Ethics in the Healthcare Setting”.
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A: Neil Evans – “With all of the special tests you have to look at the collaboration of all of them put together. There is a labral crank test as well as the crank test in the literature. Technically both can provide you with information about instability but the labral crank test is for the labrum while the apprehension test is for anterior instability.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “Differential Diagnosis for Musculoskeletal Assessment for the Upper Extremity”.
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A: Theresa Schmidt – “Craniosacral work helps integrate the sensitivity or lack of it, based on my experience but I haven’t read any research on the specific results. Massage and strain/counterstrain work also helps to improve sensation by relaxing the sympathetic nervous system.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “Geriatric Massage: Evidence Based Approach to Improve Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life”.
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A: Chad Hensel – “Great question– from what I’ve seen it is every changing as more and more people receive the procedure. I believe the number will drop as the technique is perfected and new technologies are introduced.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “Total Ankle Replacement: Advancements ad the Road Ahead”.
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A: Jami Cooley – “Magnesium citrate can cause more stomach upset than other forms of Magnesium. The best would be magnesium malate for athletes. Mag citrate is also used to treat constipation, so it’s not ideal for athletes.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “A Clinician’s Guide to Improving Therapeutic Outcomes: Why is Nutrition Important?”.
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A: Jami Cooley – “Over the counter (OTC) multivitamins are fine; however, you want to be sure and read the labels for the dosage of the nutrients as well as added ingredients. Centrum, for example, contains Calcium Carbonate, the least absorbable form of Calcium. There are also other additives such as corn starch and dyes/ food coloring so it may be more beneficial to select a better quality OTC multivitamin with less additives.” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “A Clinician’s Guide to Improving Therapeutic Outcomes: Why is Nutrition Important?”.
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A: Lisa Miliken: “There is a great list of suggested skilled terminology to use for different clinical scenarios on the ASHA website: http://bit.ly/1Xc5BD1 Basically, you want to show the reviewer that you are using your professional skills to teach/train the patient and the caregivers/staff, with your skills, which no one else could teach. Your skills are proven through your documentation with active skilled verbs such as: “instruct,” “analyze,” etc. Some examples listed on this site are: – Instruct patient and caregiver in use and care of communication system. – Develop maintenance program—to be carried out by patient and caregiver—to ensure optimal performance of trained skills and/or to generalize use of skills. – For patients with chronic or degenerative conditions, evaluate patient’s current functional performance; provide treatment to optimize current functional ability, prevent deterioration, and/or modify maintenance program” Learn more about this, and other related topics in the course “Audit Proof Your Skilled Therapy Documentation”.
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