Rehabilitation hospitals measure how much help you need to perform basic skills when you first arrive at the hospital.
This is called your Functional Independence Measure score (FIM score). One or two days before you leave the HealthSouth hospital, your nurses and therapists will rescore your FIM to see how much you have improved and how well you have met your goals.
Below are the 18 items measured on the FIM score:
- Eating
- Grooming
- Bathing
- Dressing your upper body
- Dressing your lower body
- Toileting
- Bladder
- Bowel
- Bed to chair transfer
- Walk/wheelchair
- Shower
- Toilet transfer
- Stairs
- Comprehension
- Expression
- Social interaction
- Problem solving
- Memory
Setting your goals
Your rehabilitation team will review your FIM with you. Once specific goals are developed, you will work closely with the team to meet them. Things to be considered when setting goals include:
- What are the minimum requirements for you to go home?
- What are the needs of your friends and family?
- What is reasonable to expect, considering your condition?
- What can you accomplish during your rehabilitation stay?
Independence day
One or two days before you leave the hospital, your nurses and therapists will rescore your FIM to see how much you have improved and how well you have met your goals.
The FIM is a clear, unbiased snapshot that will help you and your doctor determine your rehabilitation progress.