Functional status evaluation form: development and implications.

Abstract

A medical audit revealed marked deficiency in the quality of functional evaluations in a rehabilitation hospital. Routine staff educational programs and an optional, simple functional evaluation form failed to correct this deficiency. The functional evaluations of the patients never reached 100% completion and the quality of the evaluations varied widely. As a result, a mandatory functional status form was devised for incorporation into the patients' charts. This form included past, present, and future goals in a problem-oriented design. Review of charts after six months of use showed that the form led to improved rates of functional status reporting, with all functional areas now documented in over 90% of charts. It is hoped that a comprehensive program including use of functional status form will be successful in improving patient care and physician education, and in facilitating a comprehensive medical audit.