If the patient's condition gets worse under the care rendered. When the patient's subjective complaints have clearly reached the upper and lower limits. This is not to say the patient does not have complaints, or that the care does not make him feel good, only that further treatment will more than likely be of very little clinical benefit. Thus, the criteria for determining the end points of care. When the patient fails to make clinical progress between lengthening dates of service.
All care is based on achieving a preinjury status.
If the patient fails to make progress between visits over an expected period of time, the clinical potential for further healing is remote. Treatment, after these points have been achieved, increases the total amount of services rendered and makes a timely settlement more difficult. The need for future care and the amount of settlement for that care is based on an accurate prognosis. We contend a more accurate system will benefit the patient, insurance carrier, representing attorney, treating doctor, and most important, the profession as a whole. The prognosis should encompass facts from the history of the accident, physical examination, and the radiographic studies.