President's Message
Posted: April 8, 2021
Know. The. Facts.
I have anxiously awaited the release of the APTA/AOTA jointly funded Therapy Outcomes in Post-Acute Care Settings (TOPS) Study...and it is here! This first-of-its-kind study has been a labor of love for many on the post-acute work group over the last 1-2 years. This study reviewed data from 1.4 million Medicare cases that CSM made available for the first time. The TOPS study measured therapy utilization, change in the reported need for assistance with core activities of daily living from the start to the end of a PAC stay, and readmission to an acute care hospital.
According to Dr. Jason Falvey, TOPS has shown “there is a significant potential for harm in cutting therapy aggressively in response to any payment change” that CSM may consider or pursue in the future. Additionally, Dr. Falvey states, “TOPS shows the value of what we do as PTs and PTAs, not only in improving function, but in reducing readmissions for our patients.” This is true across a wide variety of patients with neurologic, orthopedic and cardiopulmonary conditions.
“There is value in what we do as PTs that goes beyond exercise. Home Health therapists practicing at the top of their license can reduce unmet needs of the Medicare patient and promote high quality aging in place.” – Jason Falvey, PT, DPT, PhD
For more information on TOPS, stay tuned for a series of podcasts that will be coming soon!
I would like to thank Home Health Academy members who have joined me and served as resources and provided feedback to guide this project – Michele Berman, Matt Janes, Cindy Krafft, Bud Langham and Ellen Strunk.
A tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. Jason Falvey, for his contributions of time and expertise with the data to provide you, the home health therapist, with useful information. INFORMATION IS POWER. Use it wisely.
As always, be vigilant. Be prepared. Stay informed. Get vaccinated. . . .#IAmVaccinated!
Sincerely,
Dee Kornetti President APTA Home Health Academy |