VGM & ASSOCIATESHealthcare MSO
Full Menu Search

Heartland Sneak Peek: Using Patient-Reported Outcomes for Monitoring and Tracking Equipment Use

Published in Complex Rehab on April 19, 2022

See Theresa Berner at Heartland ConfereneBy Theresa Berner, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, The Ohio State University Medical Center

Rehabilitation professionals and CRT companies work hard to fight for the best equipment for consumers. After advocating to provide complex rehab and customized seating for consumers, we need to assure that the equipment continues to meet patients’ needs over the long-term life of the equipment. In the past, CRT teams would see individuals every five years for equipment, and the consumers that took careful care of their equipment may have even surpassed the five-year mark; others count down until the minute they can resubmit for new equipment. Currently, it's not good enough to explain the long timeline and need for replacement as funding wants to see how the equipment has been used and what alternatives have been tried before replacing it. CRT teams put out very expensive and complex equipment to people with a range of disabilities within a complicated infrastructure, but we have no requirements to keep track or manage them. The tools to do allow us to manage and track equipment use are patient-reported outcomes.

OSU has implemented the Functional Mobility Assessment for all clients coming through their Assistive Technology Center for wheelchair seating. This system has allowed better communication and follow-along of equipment and patients’ needs.  The clinic initially started it with internal tracking and tried to use students for the follow-up. It became too time-intensive until the existing system was put in place.

This presentation will focus on the importance of using outcome measures meant to track and monitor equipment use. Using this outcome program, OSU has adjusted service delivery strategies to improve longer-term use of equipment. Equipment abandonment patterns have been identified and pulling the consumer back into the team before abandonment happens has been seen. There are case studies of trends in data and examples of program development. With outcome tracking, OSU has a tool to ensure that consumers have the best chance at maximizing the use of the equipment that we fought so hard to get.

HeartlandAt this year’s Heartland Conference, make sure to attend Theresa Berner’s session, “Using Patient-Reported Outcomes for Monitoring and Tracking Equipment Use.” Learn more and register for Heartland at vgmheartland.com.

Get Connected

Stay up-to-date on the latest resources and news provided by VGM & Associates.

Sign Up for Email

From Our Experts

The PHE Will End May 11 thumbnail The PHE Will End May 11 President Biden has announced that the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will officially end on May 11, 2023. The Importance of CRT: From the Perspective of Ali Ingersoll, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023 thumbnail The Importance of CRT: From the Perspective of Ali Ingersoll, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023 In a guest article written by Ali Ingersoll, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023, longtime U.S. Rehab member Stalls Medical is highlighted as for their trustwortihness in Ali's journey to finding the wheelchair that best suits her. U.S. Rehab Benchmark Report Released thumbnail U.S. Rehab Benchmark Report Released U.S. Rehab has released the benchmark report. The full data report is only available to those who filled out the survey, but we wanted you to have a sampling of the information. We also wish to encourage you to participate in future surveys. Lead to Community thumbnail Lead to Community VGM's Mike Isaacson unpacks what it means to lead to a bigger picture, lead to create connection, and lead to a feeling of community. Seat Elevation Study Adds Evidence to Industry's Cause thumbnail Seat Elevation Study Adds Evidence to Industry's Cause As reported in HME News, a new study showing the functional mobility, employment and safety benefits of seat elevation devices is a good example of how large data sets can be used to, hopefully, guide policy and practice, says Mark Schmeler. Wheelchair Repairs Obstacles Reduced! thumbnail Wheelchair Repairs Obstacles Reduced! Wheelchair repairs have been a hot topic recently with advocacy groups raising awareness about the ability of a wheelchair user to obtain timely repairs on their wheelchair. There are many obstacles that contribute to obtaining a timely wheelchair repair, but one of those obstacles will be eliminated and another will be reduced on Jan 1, 2023. Optimize Your Sales Management Team to Drive Growth in Times of Change thumbnail Optimize Your Sales Management Team to Drive Growth in Times of Change As you continue to look toward 2023, consider developing a plan to optimize your sales management team. By taking an honest look at your team and process, you start to see the growth opportunities that exist, even in times of change. Put a Ring on it: Rules of Employee Engagement thumbnail Put a Ring on it: Rules of Employee Engagement If you are a leader, it is likely that you have become aware of the term “quiet quitting,” but leaders have been dealing with the root cause for as long as there have been teams to lead. The real problem is disengagement. As a leader, how do you help employees re-engage?

Be Part of Something Bigger

Become a Member