sch.15-sec.4How to assess a PIRS rating

sch.15-sec.4 How to assess a PIRS rating

To assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker, a medical expert must follow the steps stated in this section. Section 8 provides an example completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating. Step 1—for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS, the medical expert must— decide which level of impairment stated in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured worker; and read off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided. In deciding which level to choose for an area of functional impairment, the medical expert— must have regard to— the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured worker’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured worker’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and may have regard to the range of percentages of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment. The examples of impairment stated in the PIRS assume a full pre-existing functional capacity for the area which may not be appropriate in a particular case. Step 2—the medical expert must list the class number of the 6 classes read off under step 1 in ascending order. Step 3—the medical expert must work out the median of the class numbers (the median class score ) under section 6 . Step 4—the medical expert must work out the total of the class numbers (the total class score ) by adding together all of the class numbers. Step 5—from the conversion table in section 7 , the medical expert must read off the percentage impairment that corresponds to the particular median class score when found in conjunction with the particular total class score. Subject to section 5 , the percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured worker. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.1) To assess a PIRS rating for a mental disorder of an injured worker, a medical expert must follow the steps stated in this section. Section 8 provides an example completed worksheet that could be used to assess a PIRS rating. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.2) Step 1—for each area of functional impairment stated in the PIRS, the medical expert must— decide which level of impairment stated in the PIRS describes the level of impairment caused by the mental disorder of the injured worker; and read off from the PIRS the class, for example, class 1, that corresponds to the level that has been decided. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.3) In deciding which level to choose for an area of functional impairment, the medical expert— must have regard to— the examples of indicators of the level of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area to the extent they are relevant in a particular case; and all factors the medical expert considers relevant to the injured worker’s level of impairment, including, for example, the injured worker’s age and pre-existing functional capacity for the area; and may have regard to the range of percentages of impairment stated in the PIRS for the area as a guide to the level of impairment. The examples of impairment stated in the PIRS assume a full pre-existing functional capacity for the area which may not be appropriate in a particular case. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.4) Step 2—the medical expert must list the class number of the 6 classes read off under step 1 in ascending order. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.5) Step 3—the medical expert must work out the median of the class numbers (the median class score ) under section 6 . (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.6) Step 4—the medical expert must work out the total of the class numbers (the total class score ) by adding together all of the class numbers. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.7) Step 5—from the conversion table in section 7 , the medical expert must read off the percentage impairment that corresponds to the particular median class score when found in conjunction with the particular total class score. (sch.15-sec.4-ssec.8) Subject to section 5 , the percentage impairment is the PIRS rating assessed by the medical expert for the mental disorder of the injured worker.