Össur, Reykjavik, Iceland, is providing a number of resources in response to new challenges being presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, including donating medical supplies, applying innovative approaches to help novel coronavirus patients and first responders, and hosting special online clinical education opportunities for the O&P community. It also has launched the Complete Leg program, which provides custom options for providing design, fabrication, and assembly from socket to foot cover.
Applying Innovation to Protective Patient Transport
In addition to donating an estimated 20,000 swabs to help healthcare professionals conduct COVID-19 testing in Iceland, Össur was approached by the country’s health authority to help manufacture special Mobile Patient Isolation Units to help transport coronavirus-infected patients. Within days, Össur conceptualized and built five custom units according to the Icelandic health authority’s specifications, donating all the labor and components to create these important resources to help protect first responders and healthcare professionals involved in moving suspected COVID-19 patients.
Hosting Online Clinical Workshops and Continuing Education Courses
On April 23, Össur is hosting online clinical workshops with Robert Gailey, PhD, on “Promoting Life-like Movement Strategies – Prosthetists and Physical Therapists Restoring Human Function.“
Gailey, a world-renowned gait specialist and associate professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Therapy, has authored over 50 publications and engaged in decades of research focused on amputee rehabilitation, biomechanics, functional assessments, and the athletic pursuits of the amputee and other-abled athletes.
The workshops are scheduled to take place at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. ET, and will include curriculum on pre-prosthetic exercises for people with limb loss and limb difference, characteristics of the newest bionic prostheses, and teaching patients to use bionic prostheses when performing various functional activities. O&P clinicians can register for any of the three no-cost workshops at https://go.Össur.com/PromotingLife-likeMovementStrategies.
Össur Academy is also offering 11 webinars for O&P professionals, which have been pre-approved by the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC). Clinicians can register for the courses at https://www.Össur.com/en-us/professionals/event-calendar
In addition, Össur Academy is offering free eLearning courses available at the learner’s convenience in an on-demand eLearning library called Academy Online, including 10 courses that have been pre-approved for 15.5 CEUs. Thousands of learners are completing courses, and Össur is committed to adding new courses on a regular basis. Learners who are outside of the U.S. and/or credentialed by another board can use their completion certificates for proof of participation.
For patients who may be impacted by lack of access to physical therapy appointments or a delay in surgery, Össur provides access to exercise videos on the Össur Academy YouTube Channel. These osteoarthritis exercises are designed for patients to do at home to strengthen leg muscles, stretch tight muscles and increase the feeling of stability.
Providing New Complete Leg Custom Solutions
The company also has a Complete Leg program from Össur Custom Solutions, which provides design, fabrication, and assembly services from socket through foot cover, using the clinician’s choice of premium Össur components and products. The Össur Complete Leg program is intended to help O&P professionals provide improved cost efficiencies, more effective and efficient patient care especially as clinicians seek to respond to peak busy times while also managing reduced staff and resources. Additional information about the Complete Leg program is available by visiting https://www.ossur.com/en-us/professionals/orthotic-and-prosthetic-services/complete-legs.
