At Princeton Hills Medical Assessments Inc, we provide an outstanding level of service by administering independent medical assessments. This helps our clients to accelerate their recovery from different types of physical and mental injuries, allowing them to return to their regular lifestyle at a faster rate. Leading the market for more than 10 years, Princeton Hills Medical continues to improve standards, while specializing in Independent Medical Assessments. We achieve this by guaranteeing the most suitable process by qualified experts, meeting timelines, and by reviewing multiple diagnostic results and medical documents thoroughly and effectively. Through the successful collaboration of our team of professionals, we are committed to providing expert medical evaluations for any interested party such as: property, life and health insurers, employers, the legal community, government departments adhering to the rules and regulations of provincial auto legislation, WCIB legislation and Rules of Court.
The following is a list of assessments that are performed by our health care professionals:
Medical Investigation Services:
Attendant Care Needs Assessment
An Attendant Care Needs Assessment is a detailed assessment of a client’s personal care needs. Its goal is to determine the quantity and the complexity of assistance that the client will require with personal care in order to be able to function effectively in his/her own environment.
The emphasis of this assessment is on determining the “routine” tasks that the client would perform daily for his/her personal care, such as dressing, undressing, grooming, feeding, mobility, or basic supervisory care tasks related to personal hygiene tasks, or even more complex tasks involving skin care, administration of medication and exercise.
In-Home Assessment
In-home assessments are performed by our registered nurses and occupational therapists. The purpose of these assessments is to determine the needs of a patient in their home. These needs are, but not limited to: attendant and personal care, child-care, housekeeping and home maintenance.
Functional Abilities Evaluation - FAE
The FAE assessment is done in order to analyze the physical demands of the patient’s workplace and home activities and correlate the information to the given patient’s range of motion. This assessment allows for determination of the patient’s physical capacity at home and in the workplace.
Physical Demands Analysis - PDA
A Physical Demands Analysis is a systematic procedure to quantify, and evaluate all of the physical and environmental demand components of all essential and non-essential tasks of a job. PDA is a process of establishing what a job is in its entirety in a way that complies with the Ontario Human Rights Code.
With the recent passing of Bill 99 (Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997), the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has the right to request information about an injured worker’s functional abilities from a treating health professional (Sec. 37.3). The required information must be provided on a prescribed form distributed by WSIB. The purpose of obtaining an injured worker’s functional abilities is for “facilitating the worker’s timely return to work”.
Work Site Assessment
If needed the FAE assessment can be followed up by a Work Site assessment, which allows the assessor to focus in greater detail on the patient’s employment duties and how the patient’s recovery could potentially be affected. By analyzing the patient’s work space and duties, and recommending simple modifications to the work space and daily procedures can positively reflect on the patient’s recovery and strengthen their capabilities of successfully completing their daily tasks in the workplace.
Orthopaedic Assessment
This type of assessment is performed by one of our orthopaedic surgeons in order to properly assess functional impairments of the skeletal system, particularly the spine, upper and lower extremities, as well as associated muscles and ligaments. Treatment such as surgical procedures and other non-invasive therapy is available through our facility in order to correct abnormalities and problems associated with musculoskeletal system.
Neurological Assessment
A neurological assessment is required to analyze and interpret conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system. Problems associated with dizziness and headaches that occur as a result of head trauma are evaluated by our neurologists. Another purpose of this assessment is to diagnose pain associated with nerve damage. In some cases and EMG may be required, which we also offer.
Psychological Assessment
Accidents affect everyone differently and can cause not only physical pain but psychological trauma as well. A psychologist can assess a patient’s mental state and thought process in order to assist in coping with traumatizing events such as flashbacks caused by a catastrophic motor vehicle accident. By offering this type of assessment as well as treatment we are able to provide a set of tools for coping and better understanding of the events that caused the trauma experienced by the patient.
Physiatry Assessment
This assessment deals with diagnosis of injuries and disabilities by physical manipulation. A wide variety of treatment plans is available, such as: massage, traditional exercise that is sometimes assisted by mechanical devices, as well as applications of heat, cold and electricity. This assessment is critical in diagnosing chronic pain conditions in patients and creating effective treatment plans.
Chronic Pain Assessment & Treatment Plan
Chronic pain has several different meanings in medicine. A popular definition is "pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing". Our specialists are able to reach a correct diagnosis of chronic pain symptoms and as a result, much can be done to reduce a patient’s suffering and improve quality of life. The optimal solution to treating chronic pain lies within a qualified Pain Management Team that is often comprised of various medical practitioners, such as psychologists, physio and occupational therapists and nurses. Acute pain which is the opposite of chronic pain can usually be resolved with the efforts of one practitioner, whereas the management of chronic pain requires the coordinated efforts of a treatment team.
ENT Assessment (Ear Nose Throat)
Otolaryngology or ENT is the branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders. The occurrence of facial injury or trauma has declined markedly since the advent of safety belts and air bags in modern vehicles. Still, the more major injuries are associated with vehicle accidents.
Plastic Surgery Assessment
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, and the treatment of burns. Our knowledgeable specialists evaluate the damage to bone and tissue and identify barriers to recovery. Just like every other assessment it is also accompanied by a thorough report.
TMJ Assessment (dental)
Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders are problems or symptoms of the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. Many TMJ-related symptoms are caused by the effects of physical stress on the structures around the joint. Our specialists examine your temporomandibular joints for pain or tenderness; listen for clicking, popping or grating sounds during jaw movement; look for limited motion or locking of the jaw while opening or closing the mouth; and examine bite and facial muscle function. Sometimes investigative services such as MRI or X-Ray may be used to determine the cause of the dysfunction. Our reports indicate the nature of the disorder and outline possible solutions to be implemented.
Driving Evaluation and Re-integration
The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate a person's current driving ability, assess driving potential and often enable the person to return to safe, independent driving. Driver rehabilitation may be beneficial whenever a medical condition causes limited function. This assessment is performed by occupational therapists that are trained as driver rehabilitation specialists. These therapists are trained in the evaluation and treatment of visual, physical, sensory and cognitive/perceptual dysfunctions that impair driving.
Rheumatology Assessment
This assessment is aimed at diagnosing problems of the joints and connective tissue. Patients experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia, arthritis, neck pain, back pain and etc. are diagnosed by our specialists who in turn are able to recommend treatment that will allow the patient to return to their pre-accident activities.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological assessment is an evaluation of cognition, mood, personality, and behavior that is conducted by our licensed clinical neuropsychologists. In some cases, a client may have to be evaluated in order to assess the extent of impairment to a particular skill and to attempt to locate an area of the brain which may have been damaged after brain injury. A neuropsychological assessment will help determine the nature of the underlying problem and provide insight into the nature of any brain injury or resulting cognitive problem, as well as its impact on the individual. Our reports can be utilized as a means of devising a rehabilitation program or offering advice as to an individual's ability to carry out a certain tasks, such as driving or returning to work.
Balance Assessment
The goal of this assessment is to evaluate walking in an effort to isolate dysfunction. Areas of impairment may include muscle weakness, loss of joint range, poor coordination or postural control. During a balance assessment, a patient's stability during activities is evaluated to identify areas of impairment, the reason for impairment, and the effect on function. Both gait and balance evaluations are useful in identifying areas of impairment so that safe and proficient function and mobility can be restored.
Psycho-vocational Assessment
The Psycho-Vocational Assessment includes the testing of a vocational assessment and adds psycho-diagnostic and intelligence testing to identify psychological factors relevant to the case.
Podiatry / Chiropody Assessment
This assessment is performed to diagnose the disorders of the foot, ankle and lower leg. Our chiropodists are able to analyze patient’s gait and prescribe various modes of treatment and preventative care as well as custom orthotics.
Occupational Medicine Assessment
Occupational Health aims for the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well being of workers in all occupations; the prevention among workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; placing and maintenance of a worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological equipment and, to summarize, the adaption of work to people and of each person to their job.
Transferable Skills Assessment
This assessment is comprised of a set of tests or logic to determine what positions a person may fill if their previous position no longer exists, or they can no longer perform their last position because of an injury. Transferable skills are determined by analyzing past accomplishments or experience. For instance, a stay-at-home parent and homemaker might find they have skills in budgeting, child development, food services, property management, and so on.
Vocational Assessment
A vocational assessment is a process that helps to evaluate your strengths and identify areas of need. This type of assessment is often requested for persons who are unable to return to work in their typical job or lifestyle activities due to the restrictions imposed by an injury. One of the mandates of the Case Manager or Insurance Adjuster is the client’s return to pre-accident activities. Our reports contain recommendations that will assist the case manager or adjuster in completing the rehabilitation or treatment plan.
Psychiatry Assessment
This type of assessment is required when a psychiatric report will be as used to determine a client’s entitlement to rehabilitative services after an accident. . The psychiatric assessment may be requested in order to establish a link between the trauma and the victim's psychological condition, or to determine the extent of psychological harm and the type and amount of compensation to be awarded to the victim.
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine which deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. Our specialists provide a diagnosis and issue objective reports within a reasonable timeframe.
Future Care Cost
Our practitioners evaluate a person’s current and future needs and accurately determine the costs related to these needs over the person’s life span. This assessment is often appropriate for individuals that have suffered a catastrophic injury or have chronic pain issues and thus have had adverse effects on the overall quality of life. Costs of attendant care, transportation, medical and professional services, medicine as well modifications to the home and or workplace are some of the factors that are evaluated and compiled into a detailed and thorough report.
Home Modifications
Oftentimes an injured person has a limited range of motion and limited mobility, which can affect their abilities at home. Our specialists perform a thorough inspection of a residence, outlining possible hazards that would hinder a person’s recovery and or lead to further injury. Our reports will provide a complete evaluation of barriers to mobility and safety risks as well as a complete modification plan that will allow a person to achieve maximum mobility without further jeopardizing their path to recovery.
Catastrophic Impairment Determination
The term "catastrophic," defined in the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefit Schedule (SABS), is used as a division for the most serious and permanently injured to access substantially enhanced benefits past the fixed periods assigned for "non-catastrophic" claimants.
Paraplegics, quadriplegics, amputees, blind persons and those with significant brain impairments and marked psycho-emotional impairments all qualify as catastrophically impaired. They are included in the definition of catastrophic impairment as it is expected they will require enhanced medical, rehabilitation, attendant care and housekeeping needs.
The drafters of the SABS also recognized that a combination of impairments can result in substantial care needs. Accordingly, a person can be catastrophically impaired based on a combination of impairments.
Sleep Study / Polysomnography Assessment
Polysomnography is used to diagnose and evaluate many types of sleeping disorders, including disorders of initiating or maintaining sleep and disorders during sleep including medical, psychiatric, and dental disorders that have symptoms during sleep. Polysomnography is done during an overnight stay in a sleep laboratory. While the patient sleeps, a wide variety of tests is performed by our qualified practitioners.
Electromyography - EMG
EMG is used clinically for the diagnosis of neurological and neuromuscular problems. An EMG assessment is performed using an instrument called an electromyograph, to produce a record called an electromyogram. It is used diagnostically by our specialists trained in the use of biofeedback or ergonomic assessment. Our medical practitioners are able to provide clients with both kinds of EMG that is in widespread use today: surface and intramuscular.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures. MRI provides good contrast between the different soft tissues of the body, which make it especially useful in imaging the brain, muscles, the heart, and cancers compared with other medical imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or X-rays. Unlike CT scans or traditional X-rays, MRI uses no ionizing radiation.
Computed Tomography - CT Scan
X-ray computed tomography is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. CT has become an important tool in medical imaging to supplement X-rays and medical ultrasonography.
Ultrasonography - Ultrasound
Medical sonography (ultrasonography) is an ultrasound-based diagnostic medical imaging technique used to visualize muscles, tendons, and many internal organs, to capture their size, structure and any pathological lesions with real time tomographic images. Ultrasound has been used by radiologists and sonographers to image the human body for at least 50 years and has become one of the most widely used diagnostic tools in modern medicine.