Introducing The Functional Calculator
9/25/2006
Beginning October 2, 2006, CareConnections will implement a new tool for clinics to use in tracking patient outcomes. This tool, dubbed the Functional Calculator, will be available during the data entry process and will allow for quick and easy calculation of functional scores from the patient worksheet. Using this feature will not be required, but it will offer you an alternative method of data entry. Rather than figuring out point values for each question and calculating function for yourself, the Functional Calculator will now do the work for you.
So, how does it work? After you select a problem area, note the headings Initial Function and Final Function now appear as links. Click on the appropriate link (Initial or Final) and an online version of the functional questions for the selected problem area will come up. Now all you have to do is select the responses marked by the patient on their patient worksheet. Once you complete all of the questions, click on the Calculate button. Your internet browser will return to the data intake screen and your functional index score will be complete.
An additional bonus to using this feature is that score values for each question on the patient worksheet will be saved in the CareConnections’ system. Once enough people adopt this method of scoring function, we will be able to supply reports that drill down to the level of the individual functional question. This kind of reporting will be dependent on the amount of data received, so we do not anticipate reporting this until late 2007 or early 2008. In the meantime, we encourage you to try this new feature and let us know if it saves you time.
What is CareConnections?
CareConnections is a Web-based suite of rehabilitation medical Management services. CareConnections uses combinations of tools to assist providers and payers with the medical management of patients and clinical services. These tools are the CareConnections Outcomes System, CareConnections Treatment Guidelines, CareConnections Patient Satisfaction Monitoring, and CareConnections Prior Authorization/Advice System (PAS).
The entire suite of CareConnections management tools present powerful, yet cost effective systems for today’s healthcare world. Providers and payers alike can benefit from CareConnections’ component parts or their integrated ability to serve the needs of both value-based and outcome-oriented care to all rehabilitation patients.