The Pulse

Patient Information: Male, Age 73

Diagnosis: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation

History: This gentleman was referred to a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation services to address significant weakness and functional decline after an exacerbation of  COPD.

Proper trunk positioning is an essential component of optimal aerobic capacity training. Poor positioning of the head, neck, shoulders, trunk, and pelvis during aerobic exercise may compromise an individual’s ability to reach optimal functional outcomes.

Patient Information: Female, Age 85

Diagnosis: Fractured ribs / CHF / Generalized weakness

History: This woman was hospitalized after falling and fracturing seven ribs. During her
hospitalization, she began having complications from chronic heart failure which resulted in an
extended stay of almost a month. By the time she was discharged from the hospital, her function had declined as a result of generalized weakness and pain in her low back and upper shoulders. She was referred to therapy to recover her function, treat her pain, and improve her activities of daily living.

According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, while chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, is the third leading cause of death.¹ With advancing age, an individual undergoes cardiovascular and pulmonary changes resulting in the fundamental physiological problem of reduced oxygen delivery to skeletal muscle.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) states that to be covered, skilled therapy services must meet the following conditions:
     • Ordered by a physician
     • Be related to an active written treatment plan
     • Be of a level of complexity and sophistication requiring the judgment, knowledge, and skills             of a therapist
     • Accepted under standards of medical practice
     • Are reasonable and necessary