Assessment Services

At Access Rehab, we take a broad, evidence-based view of our patients’ well-being and patient rights.  Consequently, our Assessment Services have two aims:

· First, to provide a thorough initial assessment of the patient’s complaint and determine the correct cause and,

· Secondly, to provide timely professional assessments needed for any related insurance claims.

The Initial Assessment—

During the initial assessment our Physiotherapists gather data to determine the impact of your condition on your mobility.  We will assess levels of impairment, degrees of functional loss and disability, any related nerve damage, and review your overall health and activity level.  We will also assess whether or not you have any available support systems at home to assist with your care if needed and we may consider your work place environment to minimize any recurrence of your condition or prevent further accidents.

The Difference between a narrow and a broad evidence-based assessment—

A narrow view of a patient’s complaint may not provide a complete diagnosis or treatment plan.  A runner may have shin splints and the immediate cause of pain is assessed to be a stress fracture of the tibia.  Rest until the pain subsides is prescribed.  Once the pain has abated, the patient returns to his training schedule.

In our broad-based approach to patient assessment, our physiotherapists determine why the stress fracture occurred by determining if there is any underlying cause.  The answer may be straightforward – the patient increased his or her training time and simply needs to cut back.  If the answer is more complex – the patient has abnormal biomechanics or is wearing the wrong footwear or has changed the training surface – correcting the medical issues with treatment may prevent more serious, long term effects.

At Access Rehab, we work to meet each individual need revealed by our broad, evidence-based patient assessment.

Timely Assessments and Evaluations—

If you’ve suffered an accident and are making an insurance claim, there may be a number of time sensitive forms, assessments and evaluations needed along the way.  Our team of experts will provide the following documentation in a timely manner to support your claims and protect your patient rights:

In home ADL Assessments—

Our experts will do an in-home assessment of daily skills necessary for your daily activities from grooming to functional communications and socialization to health maintenance if requested by WSIB or your insurance provider.

Form 1 | Assessment of Attendant Care Needs—

Form 1 is filed with the insurance provider after an accident and outlines reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for services and/or attendant in nursing home or chronic care hospital

Functional Abilities Evaluations (FAE)—

Required by the WSIB, this evaluation is used to determine employee’s functional abilities and physical fitness before returning to work after an injury.

Psychological Assessment | Counseling—

The Psychological Assessment evaluates thinking, learning and behavior and may include interviews, observation, testing and consultation with other professionals.

Work-Site Assessments | Physical Demands Analysis and Ergonomic Assessment—

A Physical Demands Analysis may be required by WSIB and is utilized to determine when an injured worker is ready to return to work and what limits the worker may have in fulfilling the tasks of the job.  It determines if the worker can return to the pre-injury job or, if not, what other role might be performed by the worker.

An Ergonomic Assessment determines the relationship between the worker and the workplace.  There is an assessment of the individual and of the workstation to identify potential hazards and provide recommendations to prevent or minimize occurrence of workplace injuries.

Pre-Claim Medical Examination—

This is a voluntary, pre-claim examination requiring the consent of the insured.  An insurance provider may request this examination to determine if the insured is entitled to attendant care, assistive devices and home modifications.

Radiological Spinal Evaluation—

For spinal trauma patients (many of whom suffer sports-related injuries), a record of x-ray, CT scan and MRI imaging provides an evidence-based foundation useful in determining the appropriate therapeutic approach.  This evaluation is also useful in tracking and providing a record of the final result.

Catastrophic Injury Impairment Evaluation—

This evaluation is integral to establishing whether a patient injured in a motor vehicle accident is determined to be suffering from a catastrophic injury.  Generally, the evaluation assesses emotional, mental and behavioral impairment and will include an examination of the nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, neurology and psychiatry.  It will review sleep and arousal disorders as well as assess daily activities.  The evaluation may not be final until the recovery process has completed its natural course.  The nature of this evaluation requires a range of healthcare specialists and the most advanced diagnostic technology available to meet the detailed requirements of this process and protect patient rights.