Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Physiatrist?
A Physiatrist, or a Doctor of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R), is a specialist who focuses on Brain Injury Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Neuromuscular Medicine, Pain Medicine, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and/or Sports Medicine, usually in a sub-acute nursing facility.
How can a Physiatrist armor your facility in the case of an audit?
Audits are serious and can be a costly concern in a sub-acute facility. According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPMR), Physiatrists rounding 2-3 times a week are able to provide meticulously supportive documentation demonstrating medical justification for skilled services inclusive of PT, OT and SLP comprehensive of biweekly functional goals, updates inclusive of gait distances, transfers, and ADLs, and barriers documented not just from a Physician, but a "Rehab specialist."
How can Physiatry improve patient goals?
The goal of any patient in a sub-acute nursing facility is to return home at their prior level of function to maintain their quality of life. The role of a Physiatrist in this capacity is to reduce medical complications inclusive of primary medical complaints, control patient's pain and spasticity and guide the rehab team to be able to send our patients home safely and independently.
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How does Physiatry reduce hospital re-admission?
The focus of a Physiatrist in a sub-acute facility is to improve the functional ability of their patients (transferring, balance and reduce the chance of re-admission along with the rest of the rehab team consisting of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, Social Work, Primary care Physician, the patient and their support system.
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