We recently saw a conversation on social media where a person receiving prosthetic care felt that his O&P facility didn’t follow up/check in on him after prosthesis adjustments or residual limb problems, which he found disappointing. He wondered if this was normal. With that in mind, we asked, “How often should O&P facilities check in on their patients?”
Of those who responded on LinkedIn, 43 percent said that it depends on the complexity of care; 35 percent said there should be weekly check ins for new amputees; 14 percent thought that it was dependent on other factors, and eight percent said facilities should check in monthly after initial care.
Comments from our followers included this response: “As an end user I would like to have something similar to what some companies do for their employees on check ins. Apply the 30/60/90 to new amputees and with new sockets. Each follow up, educate [about] the importance of communication, and coach them [on] the proper channels for communication for issues afterwards. Always be available and correct sensitive issues timely. From personal experience, if you have a patient that is also an employee at the facility, this rule does not get exempted. The care should be separate from employment.”
Another follower replied, “Is 30/60/90 frequent enough for a new socket? [For] an experienced wearer that is fine, but a new amputee with a first leg, I prefer two weeks, then another one month, then another three months. I know some folks who prefer a one-week follow up to start. I like two weeks because it gives time for them to get through their break-in period and actually be up and walking and identifying potential issues. One-week follow ups are sometimes just like, “Well, I haven’t even worn it much yet.” But a lot can go wrong if waiting one month after delivery for a first follow up.”
Our Twitter followers responded unanimously that follow ups should be weekly for new amputees.
For last week’s question we asked, “If your O&P facility checks in regularly with your patients, whose responsibility is it?”
Of those who responded, 70 percent said the clinician handles follow ups; 22 percent said a patient advocate, and nine percent said others.
One LinkedIn follower said, “The clinician. However, Medicare may consider this as solicitation, which may be a Medicare Standards rule violation. Having said that, I check on my patients. Just a quick and honest ‘how are you doing’ goes a long way.”
Our Twitter followers all said the clinician will follow up.
Our the third and final question on this topic is up and in full swing: What does your facility do in regard to following up with patients?
Tell us what you think. We’d love to hear from you.
Vote now on LinkedIn..
Polls: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-o&p-edge/?viewAsMember=true
