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In Memory of Dale

The OPAF Dale Yasukawa Memorial Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications from Northwestern University students currently enrolled in the O & P program. The scholarship is intended to assist NUPOC students attend their local chapter or society meeting of the Academy. More information is located on the OPAF website.

Scholarship applications are due by May 1.

How Can You NOT Love the Internet? It's Like the Wild, Wild West of Information

I get Google Alerts on anything to do with orthotics & prosthetics. (I think I may have said that before...)

So, this is one that I got today.

From the Midland Free Press online.

Orthotics: When "Custom" Isn't Custom

The Midland Free Press is a Canadian newspaper, but as far as I know, they've got Orthotists in Canada, eh?
By reading the article - submitted by the author, not a journalist,  a pedorthist - you would think that only pedorthists should be fabricating and fitting foot orthoses.  Wouldn't you?

Shoot first. 

"...The most common three-dimensional casting techniques include: plaster slipper casting, foam box casting, as well as wax casting

There are other techniques, however, they are not widely utilized. 

One must also keep in mind that not just any one can take an accurate three-dimensional impression/cast of the foot. 

Extensive training in all of the above mentioned areas is required in order to produce a proper custom made device. 

Pedorthists are the only professionals trained specifically in the assessment, design, manufacture, fit and if necessary modification of custom-made orthotics.

So, the next time a practitioner asks you to walk over a pressure mat, of any other sort of gimmick, ask yourself, 'is this capturing a three-dimensional impression of my foot?'

If the answer is "no," then you are not receiving a truly custom-made device." 

For more information, contact Precision Orthotics at 527-4441. 

Article submitted by Krystal Dawe, B.A. Kin, C. Ped. (C), Pedorthist.

Hook-A-Hoo Rodeo

The Shriners of North America has been there with divine assistance in the time of need for the families of North Myrtle Beach residents Jeff Martini and Ace Parker.
Now Martini and Parker are returning the favor.

The duo is staging a unique fishing tournament along the Carolina coast targeting wahoo - the inaugural Martini's Hook-A-Hoo Rodeo - with the proceeds benefiting the Omar Shrine Temple in Mt. Pleasant and in turn the Shriners of North America.

The tournament, featuring a guaranteed $10,000 first prize for the largest wahoo weighed in, will be held April 1-6.

The event also features calcuttas for wahoo, dolphin and tuna. The awards ceremony will be held April 6 at Martinis. For more information on the tournament, contact Parker at 843-241-0646 or Martini at 843-251-1134.

READ MORE

I love, love, love the name of this "rodeo." Hook-a-Hoo.

Trendsetting, Cost-Saving Innovations in Healthcare to be Showcased and Awarded at April 23 Event

Orange, CA (PRWEB) March 21, 2008 -- The 10th Annual Innovations in Healthcare Awards Event, on April 23, 2008, in Costa Mesa, California, not only presents nine healthcare companies vying for the ABBY Awards, and a keynote presentation by Steve Case, CEO of Revolution Health (and co-founder of AOL), who will receive the "Leadership in Innovation" Award, but will also feature a "strolling" networking lunch for all attendees where leading-edge companies will exhibit their innovative approaches to the delivery of healthcare, medical and healthcare information technology, as well as a celebration networking reception to cap the afternoon...

Another highlight of the Event will be the networking lunchtime exhibition by more than 20 companies, who will showcase their innovations in healthcare. Scheduled exhibitors include Accuray, Inc., Alameda County Medical Center, AT&T, Bidshift, Cerecons, Chesney Communications, Healthline Networks, HFS Consultants, IBM, I-Flow, iMDsoft, Inc., Micro Imaging Technology, M*Modal, Inc., Ossur Americas, Revolution Health, Sutter Health Partners, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth, WellPoint's Lumenos, and XDx, Inc.

Site visits reveal noncompliance with DMEPOS supplier standards

The Office of Inspector General's (OIG's) unannounced site visits to 905 suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) in Los Angeles County in late 2007 revealed that the suppliers failed to comply with several of the Medicare supplier standards, according to an OIG report issued last month. 

To determine the suppliers' compliance with Medicare standards, the OIG focused on two standards with which compliance could be verified quickly through direct observation. These standards include four specific requirements: 

* The supplier must maintain a physical facility.

* The facility must be accessible during business hours.

* The facility must have a visible sign.

* The supplier's hours of operation must be posted. 

Findings. Three percent of the suppliers (30 of 905) did not maintain appropriate physical facilities. Nine percent of the suppliers (85 of 905) were not open during posted or reasonable business hours on at least two site visits. Another nine percent of the suppliers were open but failed to post signs indicating a business name, hours of operation, or both. 

Fourteen percent of the suppliers met the requirements for the standards that the OIG reviewed, but more than half of the beneficiaries served by these suppliers did not receive other Medicare services from an ordering physician within a six-month period preceding the DMEPOS claim. 

In addition to performing site visits, the OIG analyzed the suppliers' Medicare billing patterns. In the 12 months beginning July 1, 2006, Medicare allowed approximately $245 million for DMEPOS provided in Los   Angeles County, $21 million of which was for suppliers that did not maintain physical facilities or were not open during the unannounced site visits.

 

Recommendations. The OIG recommended that CMS strengthen the DMEPOS supplier enrollment process and ensure that suppliers meet Medicare supplier standards. Specifically, the OIG recommended that CMS:

(1) conduct more unannounced site visits to suppliers;
(2) perform more rigorous background checks of high-risk suppliers;
(3) focus monitoring and enforcement on high-risk suppliers;
(4) increase prepayment review of DMEPOS claims;
(5) require suppliers in high-fraud areas to reenroll more frequently than every three years; and
(6) establish a minimum number of hours of operation and minimum inventory requirements for product and service types.

 

OIG Report, No. OEI09-07-00550, Feb. 1, 2008 Health Care Compliance Reporter p530,659.

Source

DFU & VA

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most serious problems facing the health of the general US population. This year over 7 percent of the population, or 21 million people, will be diagnosed with diabetes and among these individuals, 15 percent-25 percent will develop a Diabetic Foot Ulcer ("DFU") during their lifetimes. This is a very serious problem since DFUs are the leading cause of non-traumatic amputation. Since over 20 percent of patients with a DFU require an amputation, it is expected that between 650,000 to over 1 million unfortunate individuals will face having an amputation each year. Moreover, these patients also face a higher risk of additional amputations and a higher 5-year mortality rate of 39 percent to 68 percent.

The Heritage Medical Research Institute confirms that this is an even more serious problem among this country's veterans who are three times more likely to have diabetes as compared with the general population. Not only do veterans account for over half of all hospitalization for LE ulcerations, but almost two-thirds of all hospitalization for LE amputations in the VA healthcare system is among veterans with diabetes.

The 64 percent LE amputation rate among veterans with diabetes is considerably higher than the 50 percent amputation rate among diabetes in the general US population. It is therefore not surprising that the costs of treating diabetic patients with LE amputations have steadily increased in the VA system from 1989 to 1998 and is expected to increase unless we are able to prevent DFU.

Snowboarding amputee trials prototype leg

Carl Murphy's state-of-the-art prosthetic limb has never before been used on snow, but the winter sports fan is confident it can do the goods and boost his performance in three events at the Colorado National Championships later this month.

Mr Murphy, 28, from Alan Bullock Close in St Clement's (New Zealand), had his right leg amputated above the ankle shortly after birth because of a congenital defect.

He normally wears a standard-issue fibre glass and carbon fibre artificial leg for every day walking.

But from March 22, he will be using a unique carbon fibre limb with shock absorbers designed to take the heavy landings involved in his sport.

The limb has been developed by New Zealand-based company Lab Industries Limited and is the only one of its kind in the world.

Source

Disabled Snow Sports New Zealand

National Prosthetic Parity Bill

Historic Opportunity for National Prosthetic Parity from Dr. John Rush, Medical Director, Hanger Prosthetics

 

I have great news and an historic opportunity for you – the Prosthetic Parity Act has been introduced into the 110th Congress of the United States of America as HR 5615.

The bill was authored by Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ), with Representatives George Miller (D-CA), Todd Platts (R-PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) signing on as original co-sponsors.  Rep. Andrews chairs the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee and Rep. Miller chairs the Education & Labor Committee while also serving on the Natural Resources Committee.  Rep. Platts serves on the Education & Labor, Oversight & Government Reform, and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees while Rep. M. Diaz-Balart serves on the Budget, Science & Technology, and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees.  Rep. L. Diaz-Balart serves on the Rules Committee. 

As you know, we’ve been working with the Amputee Coalition of America to introduce federal legislation to protect access to prosthetic care. Today, the real push begins! It’s up to each and every one of you to write your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HR 5615.  If your representative is listed as one of those sponsoring the Prosthetic Parity Act, please contact them to say thank you.

Please note – at this time, only your Representative needs to be contacted; we will call upon you at a later stage to contact your Senator once a national bill is introduced in the Senate.

 

To find your Representative:

1. Go to the www.house.gov 
2. Go to the “Find Your Representative” field on the upper-left corner of the screen, enter your zip code and click on the “Go” button.  The name and contact information of your Representative will appear.

 

If you would like to send a letter via email or U.S. Postal Service, you are welcome to use the following sample text or draft your own:

 

Dear Representative ___________,

I am writing to urge you to co-sponsor the federal prosthetic parity act, HR 5615.  This bill will ensure that prostheses are treated the same way as other basic, essential care.  Sadly, without legislation to ensure coverage, many people living with the loss or absence of a limb are facing discouraging obstacles when trying to obtain prosthetic care. Current changes in insurance plans are having a devastating effect on amputees and their families.

The results of numerous studies demonstrate that prosthetic parity is not only low cost to individuals under private and group insurance plans, but that it also results in savings to the private and public sector.  The provision of prostheses results in a variety of benefits, some of which are fiscal in nature, while others are related to quality of life issues, which are less measurable. Non-fiscal benefits include a reduction in the secondary conditions caused by a sedentary lifestyle, less dependence on caregivers, and lowered risk of diabetes-related complications leading to additional amputation. In addition, this segment of the population can continue to be contributing members of society instead of becoming dependent on it.

 

Unlike many bills to expand or protect health care coverage, this legislation will not result in an increase in utilization. This bill is specifically designed to ensure access to prosthetic devices for people with limb loss and limb deficiency.

Prosthetic parity bills have been launched all over the country.  Currently, eight states have passed parity laws. Another thirty-one states are working to advance legislation.  It is time for Congress to take a stand on this important issue.

This is an opportunity to ensure that people with limb loss are given the care they need to fully participate in society!  I hope you will sign on as a co-sponsor of the parity legislation.

Sincerely,

NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE

 

If you would like to call your Representative to urge them to sponsor the bill, you can follow this sample script
(please note -- you will be leaving a message with a staff person and generally, they will ask for your name and hometown):

I am calling to urge Representative _______ to sponsor HR 5615, the federal prosthetic parity bill.  I work daily with amputees and their families and can attest firsthand of the need to advance prosthetic parity.  This is an important piece of legislation for all Americans.  Thank you.   

Because Y'all Can't Get Enought of Pets and Prostheses

FULLERTON – Joy's name is scheduled to get extra special meaning Wednesday. 

At 10 a.m., the hobbling 53-pound chow chow will get a prosthetic paw.

For six years, Joy's right foreleg – which has no feeling – has been jury-rigged with part of a small Wiffle bat and half of a tennis ball.

The homemade gizmo allowed the 10-year-old dog to stand on all fours.... 

"This is a rescued dog," said Joy's owner, Bill Staggs of Mission Viejo. "She literally landed in our lap 10 years ago."

Bill and Diane Staggs opted to visit the Fullerton prosthetic firm, which over the years has twice completed similar procedures on dogs. 

Last week, Joy was fitted for her final polypropylene prosthetic, basically a new paw and partial leg, with four hinges to allow walking. The appliance will be secured with a Velcro strap.

"Joy is such a good dog that on our wedding day, she wore a fur covering on her leg that we cut from a thrift-store teddy bear," Bill Staggs said. "You can see, she puts up with a lot."

Orthotist Eddie Jacobo, 40, at Sunny Hills Orthopedic Services, usually fits people with prosthetics.

Jacobo said the procedure and appliance for Joy will cost $500 to $800. 

"This is my first time to do this," Jacobo said. "But I figured that it's a successful procedure for humans, so why not for dogs?"

Prostheses for Africa

From Daily Dispatch Online

THE dilapidated Mount Coke Hospital near King William’s Town is set for a rebirth in light of plans to establish a world-class prosthetic limb factory on the abandoned site.      

Funding for the proposed R5billion orthotics and prosthetics factory is being sourced from China and work will hopefully begin in the new financial year.      

Department of Health MEC Nomsa Jajula yesterday said her officials and the major donors – National Research Centre for Rehabilitation Technical Aids in China – were still in the process of completing paperwork on the deal.   

Formalities aside, the factory will manufacture artificial limbs and wheelchairs.    

“We intend starting on the first phase in the new financial year on a project that will eventually provide all of Africa with much needed artificial limbs,” Jajula said at a press conference attended by a Chinese delegation.      

“Sourcing them (prosthetics) is a challenge for Africa in general. Currently we order them from Germany at very high cost and we have to wait for a long time before they arrive.”

Jajula said the first of three phases included the construction of the factory, skills training and the provision of prosthetics for the province.      

“In the second phase, artificial limbs will be provided to the rest of the country, after which we will then export them to the rest of the continent,” she said.      

Jajula said the Mount Coke plant would become the biggest on the continent, dwarfing a factory in Tanzania which is the main producer of artificial limbs for Africa....READ MORE