WHY WORKWELL/ISERNHAGEN WORK SYSTEMS (IWS) FCE?

Provides a two-part evaluation, essential for reliability and validity

We believe the Workwell/Isernhagen Work Systems FCE is the most
reliable product on the market for evaluating an individual's functional
capabilities and limitations. However, the purchase of a top-of-the-line
product does not guarantee accuracy, quality, or efficiency. Ultimately,
the qualification of the staff determines the level of proficiency.

Having performed over 2000 evaluations over the past ten years,
Lunda & Associates is the most experienced provider of FCEs in Southern
Arizona. The staff has expertise not only in performing FCEs but also
in effectively dealing with the many ancillary issues and complexities
that accompany injury or illness and which often mask an individual's
true abilities.

We work in an efficient environment that allows us to schedule patients and provide reports in a timely manner, thus expediting the return to work or case closure process. We have a passion for our profession. Our goal is to meet the needs of our clients and those involved in their care.

USE OF FCES

All persons involved in the return-to-work process need to use information from functional
capacity evaluation:

The primary person that needs to understand physical capacity is the worker.
Without a good understanding of body function, safe physical ability, and confidence of
maximum levels, return to work will not proceed in an efficient manner; therefore,
educating the worker during the test regarding their abilities and limitations becomes
very important.

The employer also must be fully aware of the physical demands of the job
and worker capacities and limitations regarding work. If work site recommendations are made
by the therapist/evaluator, work accommodation would be more likely to be implemented
if objective physical data is available to verity the need. This allows an employer to
be more confident regarding a return-to-work placement.

Physicians also must have confidence in accurate functional testing that leads
either to a medical release to return to work or appropriate rehabilitation intervention.

Insurance systems (worker's compensation, motor vehicle accident, or social security
disability administrations) desire to close cases effectively. Objective, criteria-based
functional tests coupled with ability to work or do activities of
daily living create case resolution.

Attorneys, whether for the employer, insurance company, or plaintiff, need
objective functional tests that will stand up in court.

The Workwell/IWS FCE is well-accepted and will continue to be used
in the return-to-work process. Functional capacity evaluations have
become an integral part of the return-to-work system and will continue
to be refined and researched. The future is in the hands of its users,
the professional skills they bring to the evaluation and the dedication
to the process of safely returning workers to work.

DEFINITIONS

FUNCTIONAL

Meaningful, useful. In this context, functional indicates purposeful activity
that is an actual work movement. Functional implies a definable movement with a beginning and an end,
and a result that can be measured.

CAPACITY

Maximal ability, capability. Capacity indicates existing abilities for activities
including the maximal function able to be used/demonstrated.

EVALUATION

Systematic approach including observation, reasoning, correlation and conclusion.
Evaluation goes beyond monitoring and recording. The evaluation process implies an outcome
statement/conclusion that is explanatory, as well as an objective measurement of the activity.

WORKWELL/IWS DESCRIPTION

FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION (FCE) is the comprehensive, objective testing of a person's ability in work-related
tasks. It is musculoskeletally oriented, so as performance is rated, both abilities and physical
limitations can be noted as they relate to physical and functional findings. FCE has made a large
impact on the return-to-work process of injured workers.

The WORKWELL/IWS FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION is performed on a one-to-one basis over one or two days for
several hours of intense evaluation each day. The purpose of the test is to stress the
physical abilities to the maximum in order to accurately document observations regarding work and
activities of daily living. It should describe full function of the injured worker, as well as
limitations, so reinjury can be prevented. In the FCE process, injured workers are educated regarding their own
abilities and limitations. This facilitates a more proactive role for the worker in their
return-to-work process.

The WORKWELL/IWS FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION is an integral part of the return-to-work process. It forms a
medical basis for return-to-work decisions regarding productivity levels, and/or modification
of physically contraindicated work activities. It interfaces with information from many professionals
on the return-to-work team. Positive feedback regarding FCE has come from professional areas such as industry,
insurance, workers' compensation, and medicine. It is a base component of work injury management systems.
When a comprehensive, accurate functional capacity evaluation is put to optimum use, it will
assist all who need the functional work information.

A WORKWELL/IWS FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION, when applied to physical measurement of work or
daily activity, requires the following:

The evaluation should be done by a professional with the ability to monitor, record, assess, and design an outcome statement. (Physical/occupational therapist).

The evaluation should include productive activities taken to completion. Both the process and the ability
to complete a task should be evaluated as well as musculoskeletal strengths/weakness that relate to the
ability to complete tasks.

In evaluating the function, full effort is required.

Any functional capacity evaluation should be performed within safe medical parameters.