Post-operative orthopedic recovery is one of the largest sources of skilled SNF days: total hip and knee replacement, hip-fracture repair (ORIF/hemiarthroplasty), spinal surgery, and amputation all commonly qualify for a Part A rehabilitation stay. The skilled element combines post-surgical observation (for infection, bleeding, VTE, and neurovascular compromise), incision care, VTE-prophylaxis monitoring, pain management that enables therapy, and rehabilitation nursing that carries over the therapy plan.
The purpose of this module is to prove, for each billed day, that skilled post-surgical observation, a covered procedure, rehabilitation nursing, teaching, or management was reasonable, necessary, needed daily, and available only in a SNF under Pub. 100-02 Chapter 8. The musculoskeletal exam is the same as in home care; the coverage spine is re-pointed and the Section GG / rehabilitation-nursing linkage is added.
