Capstone America® Treatment Philosophy

The Capstone provider is expected to take a thorough patient case history sufficient to adequately assess the severity risk and nature of patients presenting health care problems. This requires the documentation of a thorough patient history, appropriate consultative questions, ruling out red or yellow flags and objectifying patients complaint(s) as much as possible. Such documentation enhances the ability to monitor a patient's status and response to treatment over time. Utilization of objective outcome assessment tools have improved patient monitoring and help to minimize nurse case management oversight when the treating doctor's case management decisions are based upon more objective findings.

To this end Capstone has adopted the utilization of the Pain Diagram Questionnaire (PDQ) as our primary outcome tool. PDQ questionnaire must be completed by the patient at time of entrance, re-examinations and at discharge.

By tracking patient outcomes using the PDQ and cost studies we have created a value system. The gold standard is good patient outcomes, return to pre-injury function, reasonable healthcare costs and minimal liability. The patient risk assessment gives us an idea of the complexity of patient's being treated by any given doctor. Complex patients require closer management and timely intraprofessional and interprofessional referrals. When medically reasonable and necessary, these extra steps maximize patient outcomes and enhance therapeutic efficacy.

The actual treatment of patients should follow best-evidence care while respecting the unique situations that sometimes arise in patient care. Treatment of the acute pain patient's nociception is aimed at controlling inflammation, reassuring the patient as to the nature of the condition, guided recommendations for self-management and other measures aimed at enhancing recovery and returning to normal function.

Patients in the subacute or chronic phases of pain have a totally different physiological and psychological condition that requires progression and modification of care, while keenly monitoring the patient's condition using objective outcome assessment tools and proper and timely patient referrals so that patients recovery can be consistently expedited and enhanced above and beyond that expected of natural healing.

Doctors who practice in such a manner may require minimal nurse case management or professional oversight. They are providing the right care at the right time and for the right clinical reasons.