The Pulse

Patient Information: Female, Age 76

Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) / Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) / Diabetic Neuropathy

History: This woman was referred to home health therapy services due to numerous falls, poor balance, and a decline in functional mobility. Over several months she became wheelchair-dependent in part due to fear of falling. Prior to this decline, she was independent with transfers and able to walk with a rolling walker to the dining room for meals in her assisted living facility.

Patient Information: Female, Age 70

Diagnosis: Left Femur Open Reduction Internal Fixation (ORIF) / Pain

History: This woman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services following hospitalization due to a fall at home resulting in a left femur fracture requiring surgical repair. Prior to her fall, she lived in a 2-story home with her husband and was independent with walking and all activities of daily living.

What do you do in your free time? 
Having two young and energetic daughters doesn’t leave me with an abundance of free time, but my wife and I do love spending time with them and cheering them on in soccer, gymnastics, and school activities. I enjoy golf, hiking, spending time with family and friends, and travel. Over the winter, we traveled as a family to Thailand and we are looking forward to London and Romania this summer.

Per the American Physical Therapy Association’s (APTA) “Defensible Documentation Tips” resource¹, the top 10 payer complaints about documentation (reasons for denials) include:

As speech language pathologists, we are all familiar with the word “competence.” After a good deal of time invested in educational pursuits followed by a nine-month period of supervision, we are awarded our Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). The reality is, when I received my CCC, I could hardly consider myself competent in any area of practice.

Patient Information: Male, Age 87 Diagnosis: Pressure Ulcer / Type II Diabetes

History: This gentleman was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for long-term care with a long standing pressure ulcer. Nursing referred him to therapy for wound care intervention due to this non-healing stage IV (full thickness) coccyx (base of the spine) pressure ulcer despite being treated weekly be a wound care doctor and receiving daily wound care by nursing for almost 2 years (643 days). He also has type II diabetes and poor sitting posture which contributed to his slow healing.

Patient Information: Female, Age 81

Diagnosis: Distal Femur Fracture / Fall Risk / Dementia

History: This woman was hospitalized for a surgical repair of her right femur, which she fractured in a fall. Following hospitalization, she was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation to address decreased functional mobility and safety. Previously, she also had a hip and knee replacement on the same side. Prior to her fall she lived at home with her spouse and walked independently, including up and down four steps at the entrance of the home.

What do you do in your free time? 
I enjoy hiking/trail running with my husband and traveling with my two college aged kids whenever we get a chance! I particularly like spending time in the mountains and exploring new places. 
 
How long have you been with ACP?  
Just getting ready to celebrate my 9^th ACP Anniversary!

"Patients enjoy the features and 'seeing' their successes over time. Using the Synchrony sEMG allows us to obtain more reliable data for a scientific approach to therapy.”

Patient Information: Male, Age 57

Diagnosis: Cognitive Communication Deficit / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease /
Chronic Heart Failure

History: This gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility and referred to speech therapy for decreased cognitive function and failure to thrive following bilateral above knee amputations. Previously, the gentleman lived at home.