title: Understanding the physical therapy evaluation in home healthcare: practical pointers for the nurse clinical record reviewer.
abstract: Nurses are often called upon to audit therapy documentation but may struggle to interpret the "language" of other disciplines and apply Medicare's coverage guidelines for appropriate, reasonable, and necessary services. This article seeks to provide the nurse reviewer with insight into the most critical aspect of establishing medical necessity for physical therapy services, the initial patient evaluation.
authors: Home Health Therapy Advisors, LLC, Kingwood, Texas, USA. rsmarr@cebridge.net
authors: Rebecca B
authors: RB
authors: Smarr
mesh_terms: D005684:Gait; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D010807:Physical Endurance; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D004856:Postural Balance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular