Swift Services
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Functional Capacity Evaluations
What is a functional capacity evaluation?
The functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is an assessment of a patient’s functional capabilities. The FCE matches human performance levels to the demands of a specific job or work activity or occupation, and establishes the physical level of work an individual can perform. The FCE may be used to determine:
Ability to safely return to work
Possible work restrictions, job modifications, or reasonable accommodations that may be necessary to prevent further injury
The extent to which impairments exist, or the degree of physical disability for compensation purposes
The potential ability to perform work following acute rehabilitation or a work-hardening/work-conditioning program
What does the FCE include?
- Ability to safely return to work
- Possible work restrictions, job modifications, or reasonable accommodations that may be necessary to prevent further injury
- The extent to which impairments exist, or the degree of physical disability for compensation purposes
- The potential ability to perform work following acute rehabilitation or a work-hardening/work-conditioning program
The test safely and objectively measures:
- Repetitive lifting
- Repetitive push, pull, and carrying capacities
- Hand grip strength
- Tolerance for elevated work
- Prolonged trunk flexion in sitting and standing
- Prolonged trunk rotation in sitting and standing
- Prolonged crawl, knee and sustained crouch positions
- Repetitive squat
- Tolerance for prolonged sitting and standing
- Maximum walking, stairs and stepladder capacity
- Balance
- Hand coordination
Who should have an FCE?
The FCE is useful in determining job placement, job accommodation, or return to work after injury or illness. FCEs can provide objective information regarding functional work ability in the determination of occupational disability status. Claim managers and disability determination services often request an FCE to help make an employment decision. Some common patients who should be referred for an FCE may include:
- Individuals who have achieved maximum medical improvement but continue to have issues related to re-injury and return to work
- Individuals who need quantification of their physical capacities for determination of disability status
- Individuals who need their function quantified prior to vocational job search and/or return to work
