Scope of Care
Obviously, the correct diagnosis is paramount in treating any patient following trauma. We will assume, for the purposes of this discussion, the case being treated represents an uncomplicated soft tissue injury. Specifically, injuries that are absent fractures neurological deficits, dislocations, disc herniations or vascular complications. Treatment rendered for these injuries should represent the standard of care for the geographic area serviced. The "scope of practice" or treatment rendered should be designed to make passage through the medical/legal system easier. For example, performing reflexology on a patient's feet for cervical spine injuries will draw more attention than the well accepted treatment course of manipulation, moist heat, ice, ultrasound, and other therapies. This is not to say that payment will be denied, but the road to reimbursement and settlement would be much easier if a more traditional approach to care is rendered.
Frequency of Care
It is reasonable to assume the injured tissues will necessitate a higher frequency of care during the initial stages of injury. This is due to the fact that the patient's subjective complaints are often at or near their zenith during the first week after the accident. The injured tissues swell to their greatest degree during this time; thus, the level of the patient's complaints. As the injuries enter the subacute and chronic stages, it is reasonable to assume the treatment frequency would decrease and correlate with the clinical gains being made.
Since the goal of all treatment is to return the patient to their preinjury status, a well managed case will include decreased treatment frequency while occupational and daily activities are slowly reintroduced. In our experience, we have found a constant treatment frequency maintained from the onset of care can lead to problems for the plaintiff attorney as they have to explain this apparent inconsistency. Consider how they will attempt to explain the following questions: First, how can an accurate prognosis of the patient's future medical/chiropractic condition be measured if the treatment has remained the same? Secondly, how could the patient reach their preinjury status if the normal occupational and daily stressors were not introduced while under treatment? An unreasonable approach to treatment frequency complicates settlement.
Writers Bio
Dr. Steven R. Jones is a licensed Chiropractor in the state of California. He received his doctorate from Palmer College of Chiropractic-West in Sunnyvale, California. Dr. Jones has treated his patients for over 15 years at his own San Diego Chiropractic practice.
Dr. Jones is accepting new patients and would be happy to consult with you regarding your chiropractic needs.
Call Steve Jones at
(619) 280 0554
San Diego Chiropractic
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