[1] Its area of use can include skilled nursing facilities and hospitals aimed at acute, sub-acute and rehabilitation care.
[1] Furthermore, it aims to allow clinicians to track changes in the functional status of patients from the onset of rehab care through discharge and follow-up.
The FIM's assessment of degree of disability depends on the patient's score in 18 categories, focusing on motor and cognitive function.
The scale is used to assess how well a person can carry out basic activities of daily living and thus how dependent he or she will be on help from others.
[1] Other areas assessed include the physical like how well patients move and walk, and the cognitive, how well they interact with others, communicate, and process information.