[October 30, 2014]

One Call Care Management Educates Workers' Compensation Professionals on Amputee Claimant Needs

Losing a limb is a life-changing event, and individuals who suffer this type of loss in relation to a workers' compensation injury will require a range of healthcare services, equipment and supplies, additional resources, as well as support from family and friends in order to get on a path to physical and emotional recovery, according to Zack Craft, ATS, ATP (News - Alert), and Vice President of Rehab Solutions at One Call Care Management (One Call).

Working within One Call's Equipment + Device Management unit, Craft used his experience, as well as the experience of One Call's dedicated Prosthetics team, to design the CEU course, "Prosthetics: The Lower Limb Basics," which he is scheduled to deliver via One Call University on January 14, 2015, 11:00 am Eastern.

"With today's increased incidence of obesity and diabetes, there is a greater risk that severe leg injury claimants may require amputation," said Craft. "However, surical procedures, prosthetic equipment, and physical therapy have advanced, so patients can more quickly recover and return to a fulfilling and satisfying standard of life. In addition, prosthetic limbs are much more comfortable and functional, allowing claimants to engage in various activities and return to work."

This CEU is the first of a three-part CEU series on Prosthetics that Craft will deliver via One Call University starting in 2015. The CEUs are aimed to educate workers' compensation claims examiners and nurse case managers on the complexities of amputation cases, and the full process for prosthetic evaluation, recommendation, and recovery. Workers' comp professionals can sign up and be notified of future courses via the One Call University website: www.onecallcm.com/occmuniversity.

"The power of this Prosthetics presentation is it covers the entire continuum of care for lower limb amputees-from the point of injury to amputation and prosthetic delivery, as well as recovery and ongoing maintenance for the life of the claim," continued Craft.

The session will provide valuable information, including:

• Key elements that affect the recovery process, such as age, pain and swelling, and complexity of the wound.
• A detailed overview of the various types of lower limb prosthetics.
• A recovery checklist, including physical therapy, prosthetic fitting, and training.
• Education on a revolutionary strategy, which uses an active compression and cold therapy system to aid in healing and to reduce pain and swelling.
• Tips to assess a claimant's mobility needs, which may include walkers, ramps, and wheelchairs.
• Guidance on how to assess and make accommodations for a claimant's lifestyle.
• Other considerations including possible home modifications, vehicle modifications, and other equipment needs, as well as ongoing supplies and equipment maintenance.

To find out more about One Call's Prosthetics team or to inquire about scheduling this presentation as an onsite CEU for your claims or nurse case management teams, contact Zack Craft ([email protected]). Craft will also be attending the National Workers' Compensation & Disability Conference (Las Vegas, Nov. 19-21, 2014) and will address this and other workers' compensation issues at One Call's clinical booth #1456.

About One Call Care Management

One Call Care Management (One Call) is the nation's leading provider of specialized solutions to the workers' compensation industry. One Call's solutions enable faster, more efficient and more cost-effective claims resolution. One Call provides reliable, consistent connections to care with expertise in high end diagnostics, physical therapy and transportation services, post-discharge home care and durable medical equipment, dental and doctor specialty services, complex care management, and the language services required for today's multicultural workforce. With a focus on injured workers' needs across the continuum of care, One Call enables maximum medical improvement and superior outcomes. For more information, visit www.onecallcm.com.

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