Reliability and Consistency

The AMA’s definition of reliability: The extent to which a test or measurement yields consistent results when repeated. Synonymous with reproducibility.

The examiner must assess the reliability of the functional reports recognizing the potential influence of behavioral and psychosocial factors. Therefore, the examiner must use appropriate clinical judgment in interpreting subjective reports. For example, gait abnormalities must be observed and consistent.

A non-key factor's grade should be consistent with other non-key factors for the same condition. For example, If the grade for functional history differs by 2 or more grades from that defined by physical examination or clinical studies the functional history should be assumed to be unreliable.

If a non-key factor is determined to be unreliable or inconsistent with other documentation, it should be excluded from the grading process. In other words, it should not be entered into ImpairMaster.

Documenting Unreliable Non-key Factors

In some cases, you may wish to include the unreliable non-key factor for documentation or narrative purposes only. In this case, you can instruct ImpairMaster to include a non-key factor and mark it as unreliable. When a non-key factor is marked as unreliable, ImpairMaster will include it in the narrative but ignore it during impairment calculation.