CARE: Electrotherapy and Coding

what is the common feature of all Electrotherapy modalities?

the ability to facilitate healing in damaged tissues

Is direct current (DC) unipolar or bipolar?

Unipolar

Is alternating current (AC) unipolar or bipolar?

bipolar

How is frequency measured?

Hertz (Hz)pulses/seccycles/sec

What are the different modes of treatment for Electrotherapy

Continuous mode (cont. flow of current)Surge mode (Surge in flow of current)Interrupted (pulse) mode (on and off cycles)

What is defined as an electromotive force that literally pushes the current through the tissue

Voltage

What is defined as the electricity that flows through the patient that is measured by amperage

Current

What is defined as the number of times per second that a certain electrical flow or pulse is repeated

Pulse Rate

What is the average recommended treatment time for most electrotherapy applications

15-30 mins

Why is it wiser to halve the treatment time for the first treatment session

to ensure that there is no abnormal response from pt

What is the difference between "Per-Service" vs "Timed Therapies

Per-Service= get paid for doing it, NOT how longTimed Therapies= get paid for doing how long

Timed (Attended) Therapied are billed in 15 minute _______

units

1 unit=

8 to 22 mins

2 units=

23 to 37 mins

Which code would you use to answer "what is wrong

ICD

Which code would you use to answer "What youre going to do about it

CPT

What is the buzzword for Galvanic/Low Volt DC?

Iontophoresis

What is the pad placement, frequency and intensity for Low Frequency Current

Pad= around area of painFrequency= constant Intensity= Very mild perception

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for superficial scars and adhesions

Chlorine

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for skin infections

Heavy Metals (Zn or Cu)

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for arthritis

Vasodilators (Histamine)

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for Bursitis, or frozen shoulder

Acetate

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for Spasm or adhesive capsulitis

Calcium

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for Inflammation

Hydrocortisone

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for Adhesions, neuropathy or skin disorders

Iodine

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for pain, DJD or itis

Magnesium

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for Vasodilation

Nicacin

What type of reaction will Iontophoresis cause under the pads when treating for pain and inflammation

SalicylateXylocaine

What is High Volt Therapy used for

Muscle Re-educationnerve stimulationEDEMA and SPASMPain Control

What is the Pad placement, frequency and intensity for High Volt Therapy

Pad= trace mm fibers of painful regionFreq= up to 120HzIntensity= to pt perception

If using a dispersive pad for High-Volt Therapy, what should you make sire you do

dispersive pad should be larger covering treatment area tracing large muscle mass

Which way is negative polarity going to be going

towards the heart

Which way is positive polarity going to be going

Away from the heart

What is Interferential Current (Quadripolar)/ PRe-Mod Therapy used for

Pain, Edema, Hypertonicity

What is the pad placement, frequency and intensity for Interferential Current (Quadripolar) therapy

Pad= 4 pads criss-crossed around area of painfreq= 3-5 chronic pain 80-150 acute pain 4000 Nerve blockIntensity= to pt perception

What is the difference in frequency between the two medium frequency currents in IFC called

Beat Frequency (Hz)

What does the beat frequency relate to in IFC

the number of times per second the intensity increases and decreases

What is going utilize one output jack and produces a composite wave form identical to the IFC, while using only two electrodes

Pre-mod bipolar therapy

What is Russian Stim used for

reduces mm atrophy

What is the best current to build mm strength and neuromuscular re-education

Russian Stim

What is the pad placement, frequency and intensity for Russian Stim

Pad= trace mm fibers of involved mm groupFreq= 2000-10,000 Hz (Cycle time, ramp)Intensity= to muscle contraction

What are the 3 modes of treatment for Russian/Biphasic

NormalReciprocal (Bicep/Tricep0Co-Contraction (Quad)

What is Microcurrent used for

promote wound healing and pain control

What is the goal for Microcurrent

Cellular stimulation, NOT nerve

What is the probe placement, frequency and intensity for Microcurrent

probe= around injured/painful regionfreq= less than 1Hz (0.3 Hz optimum)intensity= typically below pt percetion

What is a TENS unit used for

Pain control only (100% gait theory)

What is the goal for a TENS unit

sensory stim only NOT motor

What is the pad placement, frequency and intensity for TENS unit

pad= along area of pain and related dermatomefreq= up to 100+ Hzintensity= to pt perception