Functional Capacity Evaluations

Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) are computerized examinations that measure a combination of core and extremity functional capacities in patients for various reasons. At HEALTHPOINTE, FCEs are concise, accurate, and valid, answering clients’ questions and concerns: Does the employee have the strength or endurance to perform a particular job? Is the employee able to return to work? In many cases, the FCE can either reproduce the work activity or simulate it so that the employee’s capabilities are demonstrated.

HEALTHPOINTE reports are both comprehensive and easily understood, with key results summarized in both narrative and table formats in the first two pages. Busy physicians and case managers prefer these reports for their clear and concise summaries that simplify the difficult process of case management and case resolution.

HEALTHPOINTE uses peer-reviewed and published testing protocols. Our FCEs are capable of measuring range of motion (ROM), lifting capacity, dexterity, aerobic capacity, grip/pinch strength, functional abilities, and postural tolerance by utilizing precise equipment and testing stations. Analog signals from the equipment are converted into digital signals, entered into a computer, analyzed, and translated by the computer into precise objective readings.

HEALTHPOINTE evaluators can efficiently and thoroughly conduct FCEs on even very difficult cases. Our FCEs document objective functional abilities compared to essential job demands. They also provide clear evidence when limitations are based on symptom magnification or a voluntary management of effort. Physicians can confidently release claimants to full or modified duty based on the results of the test and clinical evaluation. In cases involving symptom magnification, physicians and case managers can take appropriate action.

Our clients order FCEs for the following purposes:

Create accurate work restrictions for employees so that they can be returned to work. FCEs are very useful in dealing with workers who prefer to stay off work.
Compare an employee’s physical capabilities to his job description in order to determine whether he is ready to resume work duties.
Provide substantive information in injury or post-surgical cases with delayed or abnormal recovery parameters when the physician finds no organic or medical cause for the delay.
Document cases in which there is evidence of symptom magnification.
Document cases with injuries in which there are reports of symptoms outside of the primary area of injury, or when symptoms in affected areas have a non-organic component.
Provide a response to claimants who repeatedly ask for a change in physician or treatment plans, and it is not clear why.
Serve as an investigatory tool for claimants with multiple outstanding workers’ compensation claims. FCEs accomplish the following tasks for our clients:
Confidently return patients to full or modified duties based on the results of the test, with little to no fear of re-injury. This also can help patients build confidence on returning to work.
Identify patients who will not be able to return to their regular duties early, thereby getting them on the path to vocational rehabilitation or a new or modified job at an earlier stage, thus saving indemnity costs to the insurance company (i.e., TTD).
Test specific job functions and demonstrate progress through the course of treatment; build the patient’s confidence.
Identify patients with alleged physical complaints or functional limitations that do not make sense.
Identify “frequent flyers,” i.e., patients with multiple work injuries.

Request an FCE today to see what duties your injured worker can safely perform.