The New Expectations of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic

By Jennifer Dowell, CPO

With the establishment of the Internet, networks, electronic billing and banking, we find that electronic record-keeping and paperless offices are becoming the norm in many areas of our lives. This evolution of business and office management is now finding its way into the world of O&P. Long gone is the era of simple notes jotted down and kept in a manila folder, to be referenced again only when reordering socks or a foot.

The information that is recorded for each patient needs to be comprehensive enough to allow each step of the patient's care to be managed as seamlessly as possible. Managing the billing, scheduling, and fitting, as well as coordinating and communicating with the patient care team, all rely on completeness and accuracy of the patient information chart. Relying on simple handwritten notes for such important information is no longer sufficient or acceptable.

Further, the requirement of third-party payers to justify the need for new sockets or other components means that we often need to maintain not just text information, but also the three-dimensional shape image of the patient. Maintaining this information by storing plaster models is becoming less and less practical. With the current computer applications that are widely and commonly used today to provide accurate and efficient service in so many other areas of our lives, more and more patients, as well as fellow medical professionals, expect the same level of technology from us.

Foreseeing this evolution in clinical and office management, Ohio Willow Wood developed the OMEGA^TM Tracer System. By integrating clinical and clerical functions into a single, user-friendly system, and making that system easily accessible to the O&P community through a variety of package options, Ohio Willow Wood is providing what we feel are unprecedented services and opportunities.

The Clinical Side

The OMEGA Tracer System provides three different methods of shape creation:

1. The T-Ring, a custom optical-imaging device, captures the shape of transtibial and transfemoral patients in a matter of seconds.
2. The Tracing Hardware (pen, wand, and calipers) is used for prosthetic shape capture and shape duplication as well as some orthotic applications.
3. The "Shapes By Measurement" capability allows users to apply patient measurements to "templates" in the software to create custom shapes for spinal, knee, AFO, or transfemoral patients.

Each of these methods produces a three-dimensional shape file that can be modified using a set of sophisticated modification tools in the software to achieve the desired design. The files can be stored for future uses or references, printed out and submitted for reimbursement purposes, sent to an in-house carver, or securely transmitted to central fabrication sites. The clinical tools provide the efficiency and expediency of phone-in fabrication services with the shape modification control of in-house fabrication.

The Clerical Side

The OMEGA Tracer System streamlines daily office chores by providing up-to-date componentry information, online ordering, componentry configuration assistance, fabrication services, and shipment tracking. The system is flexible enough to allow customers to order directly from Ohio Willow Wood or to order from their Ohio Willow Wood distributor of choice. You no longer have to make multiple phone calls to determine component availability and compatibility, and your front office staff can schedule appointments without having to guess at when the components will arrive.

In this world of point-and-click electronic business and high-speed data networks, the old methods of taking simple notes by hand, storing bulky plaster models, and making countless phone calls to order and track components are no longer satisfactory. Your patients expect efficient service, your payers expect detailed documentation, and all members of the patient care team expect clear, accurate, comprehensive information about every aspect of patient care. The OMEGA Tracer system is designed to help you meet those expectations.

Jennifer Dowell, CPO, has over 14 years O&P experience, more than half of which has been spent specializing in the research, development, and instruction of CAD/CAM technology in the field of prosthetics and orthotics. Her clinical experience includes pediatric, adult, and geriatric in acute care, sports medicine, and rehabilitation medicine. She is the education prosthetist for Ohio Willow Wood.

Table Of Contents - October 2004

	The Man Behind the Mask Detroit Pistons power forward Richard "Rip" Hamilton garner drew a lot of attention in his team's triumph at the 2004 NBA finals, and much of the hype landed on the clear plastic protective mask that Hamilton wore. Feature
	Today’s Dreams, Tomorrow’s Reality in O&P Technology Take a journey through what an O&P practice could be tomorrow, with the use of computer technology that is available today. Feature
	Low-Temperature Thermoplastic Splints/Orthoses Made by Therapists: An Overview of Current Practice Feature
	The “C” in Patient Care Merits an “A” in Marketing Leading EDGE
	Lighter Breast Prostheses Equal Comfort, Benefits Cutting Edge
	Living Outside the Box: Kaia Halvorson, CPO, LPO Industry Leaders
	Updating the Medicare Shoe Bill Stepping Out
	The New Expectations of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic Innovations
	CAPO Conference Impressive Association Spotlight
	Turning Dreams to Promises Association Spotlight
	We Salute Amputees Across America Salute!
	Salford Students Savor ‘White Nights’ Trip to Russia, Finland Global View
	Got FAQs? Got FAQs?
	Amy Purdy Takes On Hollywood Today's Consumer
	Mark Harris, RFO, LFO Profile
	Reimbursement: The Future Is Now Perspective
	From the Editor Viewpoints