May 14, 2020
A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive evaluation used to help physicians, employers, case managers, insurance companies, and lawyers establish a patient’s functional abilities and whether it is safe for someone to return to work.
An FCE contains performance-based tests that help determine a person’s ability to work, as well as their level of functioning or residual functional abilities.
What Does an FCE Measure?
An FCE measures a person’s ability to perform work-related or functional tasks. It also predicts a person’s potential to perform these tasks over a certain period of time. The set of tests measure endurance, strength, physical capability, work level, and positional tolerance.
The results of an FCE are used to make decisions regarding a person’s ability to return to work or to resume work activities. It is also used to determine eligibility for disability and to design a plan for rehabilitation.
What Are the Benefits of an FCE?
Using monitored medical standards, an FCE helps interested parties assess return-to-work capabilities, determine eligibility for disability, and determine liabilities. The data that is collected from this evaluation helps define the physical capabilities of an injured employee objectively.
What Are an FCE’s Specific Uses?
The results of FCE testing are used for a multitude of reasons, including:
- Disability evaluation or determination
- Sports- or work-related injury or illness
- On-the-job prevention of injury
- MMI (maximum medical improvement) assessment for chronic injury or illness
- Pre-employment screening
- Job placement decisions
- Return-to-work determination
- Intervention and treatment planning
- Case management/case closure
What Types of Tests Are Included in an FCE?
There are many tests that are used during a functional capacity evaluation, including:
- Strength testing
- Balance and sensory testing
- Functional testing
- Gross and fine motor testing
- Standardized testing
- Cardiorespiratory fitness testing
- Full-time work tolerance testing
- Outcome testing
- Consistency of effort
There are also optional testing components that allow an evaluator to customize the evaluation to fit the needs of the referring physician, lawyer, or case manager.
What Is the Latest in FCE Technology?
In the past, performing FCEs at your clinic may not have been possible because of financial or staffing limitations. However, new technology such as webFCE does not require downtime, expensive equipment, or costly staff training.
webFCE is a HIPAA-compliant, web-based software program that is specially designed for healthcare professionals who are currently performing FCEs, or who want to do FCEs in the future. This new software is a simple, quick, and affordable way for a clinic to perform FCEs.
The software does most of the work by providing an in-depth report, saving hours of extra work for your staff.
Functional Capacity Evaluations for Your PT/OT Practice
webFCE is a revolutionary new software tool that makes it easy for your clinic to perform functional capacity evaluations.
Complicated and time-consuming FCEs are now a thing of the past. Click here to schedule a demo!