Category: Blog

Getting Injured Workers Back on Their Feet

Tuesday, April 5th, 2022

Losing the ability to stand is one of the hardest adjustments a severely injured worker ever makes.

Humans are designed to stand and take the pressure of our weight on our feet. If sitting is the new smoking and bad for sedentary workers, imagine how bad it is for someone confined to a wheelchair. Sitting for 12-14 hours a day causes hamstrings to tighten and muscles to contract. And limited activity can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Standing is good for bone density, circulation, digestion, bladder, and bowels among other things. It’s one of the best pressure release techniques for preventing pressure injuries (wounds).

Standing brings psychological benefits as well. With a standing wheelchair, an injured woman can literally look someone in the eye and more easily interact with friends, family, and colleagues. And, whether it’s standing at a bar or a urinal, standing makes a man feel more like a man.

In addition, many patients can perform more activities of daily living when they can stand. Confidence, independence, and functionality are some benefits.

Cost tends to be the barrier to standing wheelchairs. Understandably, payers flinch at a $65,000+ price tag for a standing chair, but these chairs can avoid other significant costs:

  • Home modifications. There’s no need to renovate the kitchen if the worker can reach the cabinets.
  • Pressure injury treatment. (A hospital visit can run $100,000 or more.)
  • Medical treatment for complications, like urinary tract infections, osteoporosis, and digestive disorders.
  • Home health care workers.

Standing chairs facilitate return to work & productivity

ATF Medical worked with a police officer who was badly shot and confined to a wheelchair. He eventually returned to work in a desk job. Since he couldn’t reach some of the files, the police department hired someone to help him. After going through a standing program (see Essentials for a Successful Standing Program) and receiving a standing wheelchair, he could handle all his duties without an assistant. The department reassigned the helper, and the officer regained pride in his ability fully contribute to fighting crime.

Workers’ comp care should restore a worker to their pre-injury condition as much as possible. Not only do standing programs help do that, but they also provide major health benefits. It’s an investment, but it’s an investment in the workers’ overall physical and mental wellbeing and can contain other claim costs.

It’s worth examining claims for workers who could qualify for a standing program. I’m happy to answer questions about the equipment and our OTs and ATPs can evaluate patients, guide them to the most appropriate standing program, and help find the right equipment for them. Contact Rick Wyche, rwyche@atfmedical.com, 202-850-0561.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Permobil

WorkersCompensation.com Article on Pressure Injuries Highlights ATF Medical’s PIPI Program

Tuesday, March 29th, 2022

This informative article by WorkersCompensation.com’s Nancy Grover quotes ATF Medical’s Director of Rehab Technology Edwina Murphy, OT, ATP. The story probes the complications and costs of treating wounds/pressure injuries, explaining that communication and knowledge gaps among the different providers contribute to the development of pressure injuries.

“There is a large body of information, from credible nursing, rehabilitation and equipment manufacturers about pressure injuries, but it is not all in one place and not customized to the individual and circulated to all the providers who need it,” Edwina explains.

ATF Medical’s Pressure Injury and Intervention (PIPI) program was created to do just this. It consolidates patient-centric data and intervention protocols and communicates this information to all the caregivers who touch that injured worker.

The program also educates the injured worker and their family, using a pressure map to detect hot spots and showing them how to relieve pressure to prevent wounds. That is as simple as adjusting a seating position every 20 minutes in some cases.

PIPI’s goal is early identification of high-risk patients and ensuring that all their providers have the tools they need to help prevent painful wounds and avoid expensive treatment.

Take a moment to read Pressure Injuries Still a Problem for Injured Workers (free subscription required) and review your organization’s pressure injury program. Are there preventable wounds? Are there communication issues? Looking for a cost-effective solution? Check out our PIPI program by emailing Edwina Murphy, emurphy@atfmedical.com.

Prevent Pressure Injuries with ATF Medical’s new PIPI Solution

Wednesday, February 16th, 2022

Pressure mapping helps ATF Medical identify potential pressure injuries. The hot (red) colors on the left show the pressure is unevenly distributed in the current seated position, making it likely an injured worker will develop pressure-related injuries. The cool (blue) colors on the right show the pressure being evenly distributed. (Image provided by Vista Medical.)

Pressure injuries–sometimes called bed sores or wounds–can be painful and dangerous, causing hospitalizations and even death in severe cases. Injured workers who use wheelchairs or are confined to beds are at high risk for developing them. Sitting or lying in the same position too long, medical equipment that isn’t fitted or used properly, certain clothing, and the wrong seat cushions and poor mattresses can cause them.

ATF Medical’s Director of Rehab Technology Edwina Murphy, OT, ATP has designed a program to prevent pressure injuries and to recommend interventions.

Our Pressure Injury Prevention and Intervention (PIPI) program analyzes clients’ claims to identify workers who are at risk for developing pressure injuries and recommends ways to prevent them. Pressure mapping helps occupational therapists and assisted technology professionals to zone in on the areas that need adjustment.

“Pressure maps are excellent educational tools, too,” Edwina said. “When a patient sees how a movement or adjustment can change the map colors, they’re much more likely to comply with pressure relief techniques.”

The PIPI program consolidates prevention protocols that apply to a specific injured worker and shares this information with all the providers and claims representatives involved on a claim. “There’s a great deal of clinical knowledge and research about pressure injuries, but it’s not all in one place and it’s not tailored to a specific person,” she said.

The home health nurse and adjuster may know that an injury is developing, but the treating physician, durable medical equipment technician, and in-home physical therapist may be unaware. “Communication, collaboration and accountability are key to ensuring the worker receives the right preventative care or intervention,” Edwina said.

See this news release describing the program and contact Edwina Murphy, emurphy@atfmedical.com, to learn more about PIPI and sign up for it.

Related posts: https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20220131/NEWS08/912347583/ATF-Medical-launches-prevention,-management-program-for-wound-injuries

Welcoming ATF Medical’s Newest Rehab Coordinator, Elisa Piech

Tuesday, February 8th, 2022

Joining ATF Medical felt like “coming full circle” to Elisa Piech. She started her workers’ comp career 13 years ago with Total Medical Solutions (TMS), where she worked with Erin Zablocki, now our Executive Director of Rehab Technology.  TMS was acquired by MSC, which was later acquired by One Call Care Management, and Elisa moved along with the changes and challenges.

Now, she says, “It’s great to work with Erin again and be part of ATF Medical. It feels like family. The people have the same caring mentality as we did at TMS.”

Yes, workers’ compensation is a small world with strong connections.

Elisa is a Rehab Coordinator II who mainly works on the patient/injured worker side of the spectrum. Her first step is to contact the injured workers and verify information, like height, weight, physical location.

“We want to get as much background upfront so we can provide the most appropriate devices,” she said.

Just as important, reaching out like this lets injured workers know someone cares and that they have someone to contact with their questions. “We’re not just some call center staffed by automatons,” Elisa stressed. “We talk to patients and take time with them and help them understand what’s happening with their medical supplies and equipment.”

She also arranges for an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) or Occupational Therapist (OT) to conduct a thorough evaluation when the case is complex. “So many patients need highly specialized equipment,” she said. “If one spec on a powerchair is off, it can throw off everything. ATPs and OTs make sure that the tilt or recline feature–whatever it is–is tailored for that particular person with that specific injury.”

After gathering information from ATPs, OTs and their evaluations, Elisa prepares a quote with a narrative that explains why certain equipment has been recommended. Communicating regularly with adjusters, nurse case managers, and equipment manufacturers, she obtains approval from TPAs and carriers and ensures the ordering, delivery, and fitting of equipment goes smoothly.

The key to success in this position, Elisa says, is to let the injured worker know that you care. When asked what she enjoyed most about her job, Elisa was quick to answer, “Helping people. And here I can.”

Please welcome Elisa to ATF Medical by emailing her at epiech@atfmedical.com.


ATF Medical Is More Passion Than Career for Rick Wyche

Thursday, January 27th, 2022

In case you’re wondering if ATF Medical supports upward mobility among its employees, the answer is YES! Rick Wyche has been promoted to Executive Director of Sales, Marketing & Business Development.

Rick joined the company as an intern while still in college, checking insurance benefits and performing basic customer service. Over the years he’s held a number of roles, from cold-calling prospects to evaluating seriously injured workers for sophisticated medical equipment.

Along the way, he received Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC) credentials. Now part of the company’s senior leadership team, Rick is ATF Medical’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing & Business Development.

“ATF Medical gave me the opportunity to grow within the same organization,” Rick said, whose degree from George Mason University is in Conflict Resolution.

He said that Sid (Glover) is a great mentor who really took the time to show him what he needed to know.

“This work is never boring and it’s always challenging,” Rick said. “Each injured worker is unique and has specialized equipment and adaptive housing needs. Manufacturers come out with new features every year. There is always something to learn and there is always room to grow.”

Most rewarding to Rick is the ability to dramatically improve an injured person’s life. “We help some people who cannot get outside or even out of their beds. It’s incredible to watch them return to their lives, partly through our equipment and home modifications. Seeing them move around safely and independently and enjoy life more means everything.”

 

Kevin Wallace, the Wheelchair Guy for Wilson High’s Special Olympics

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2021

It comes as no surprise that ATF Medical’s employees are giving, caring people or that the company gives them each a paid volunteer day each year. Even before joining the company five years ago, Rehab Specialist Kevin Wallace, ATP, CRTS, threw himself into the Berks County, Pennsylvania Special Olympics.

Known there as “the wheelchair guy,” Kevin totes his tools and programmer to the event every year and adjusts wheel locks, walkers, and seats for attendees. He and his wife Kim have volunteered at the event for 20 years, to support the event and their son Connor, who has Down’s Syndrome.

“We used to bring all the area schools together for the event, but it got so large that it became too much for the kids with autism,” Kevin said, “So, now each school hosts their own and this one was held in May at my alma mater, Wilson High School.”

The event kicked off with one of the students singing the National Anthem, followed by the creed Creed for Special Olympics, which is “Let me win. But, if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” After a parade around the track, the games began. Softball toss. Wheelchair races. Running races. Long jumps. Bicycle Races.

Connor Wallace won the wheelchair race. His dad barely had time to cheer him on since he was inundated requests for wheelchair adjustments and tune-ups. Kevin worked in children’s pediatrics for 20 years before joining ATF Medical and has known some of the kids and their families for 30 years. He has a degree in Rehabilitative Science and a background in sports medicine.

“The Special Olympics is a fun and emotional day for all the kids and families—for everyone concerned,” he said. “Working with these athletes, injured workers, and others who have disabilities reminds me that everybody has challenges,” he said. “It’s what you do with them that makes the difference.”

Complex Medical Equipment is Not a Commodity

Monday, May 17th, 2021

This post was written by Rick Wyche, ATF Medical’s Senior Director of Business Development

Joe Paduda’s blog post on buying workers’ compensation services was dead-on. If you missed it, please take a minute to read it. Paduda discussed the fact that some people tend to look at a lot of services as commodities – and acknowledged that some of them are. He cited pharmacy benefit management (PBMs) as an example, mentioning that the larger PBMs have bigger buying power.

“In contrast, think clinically oriented services, those delivered to high-need patients, e.g., powered wheelchairs.”

Now he was singing my song!

“What matters is NOT the buying power of the supplier, but it’s the customer-centricity, depth of knowledge, flexibility, and adaptability. The power wheelchair has to be the right weight, carrying capacity, have the right functionality, fit through the right width and height, and meet the user’s functional restrictions,” Paduda continued.

I covered this topic in detail in WorkCompWire. Specialized equipment for workers with complex injuries is a high-touch prospect. Whether the company is large or small, its people need long-term, deep relationships with manufacturers, lots of education, and to stay current with the latest trends and technologies. Most important, the company has to deliver amazing service to injured workers and to workers’ comp payers.

ATF Medical’s professionals conduct clinical evaluations and leverage our in-depth product knowledge and experience when recommending the precise equipment and components for your injured worker. Considerations include:
• Current medical status and expected changes
• The living space
• Available and upcoming technologies and products
• Transportation needs
• Nursing care arrangements
• Family/support system

We have all kinds of certified specialists on staff: occupational therapists, assistive technology professionals, rehab technology specialists, environmental access consultants, durable medical equipment specialists, and home modification experts. Depending on the diagnoses, we build a team to create a unique solution for your injured worker.

And, I know everyone says “unique solution,” but there is no other way to adequately describe it. There are so many components, people, and perspectives that go into an ATF Medical recommendation. It’s not a product or a single service. It truly is a solution.

We order everything for you, handle all the deliveries and set up and oversee any renovations. There’s no deliver and drop. We make sure injured workers are fitted properly and they and their families understand how complicated equipment works and who to call with questions. We check in with them and monitor injured workers’ progress, suggest changes. We repair and maintain equipment – and we keep the adjusters, case managers, and other claims reps informed every step of the way.

Same thing with adaptive housing services. Everything is customized to the needs of a particular worker’s condition and living space and designed to work efficiently and cost effectively with their medical equipment. We’re all about increasing their quality of life and without wasting your money.

Complex injuries call for complex solutions. When that’s what you need, call 877-880-4283 or ask your home health company, TPA, or insurance company to ask for us.

Shifting the Perspective – Injured Workers First!

Tuesday, October 20th, 2020

ATF Medical’s Sr. Director of Business Development Rick Wyche, ATP, CEAC will participate in the “Shifting the Perspective” webinar on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The free webinar, produced by Workfinders USA, focuses on the positive ways that patient advocacy affects workers’ compensation claims outcomes.

Rick helps workers who have experienced complex or catastrophic injuries obtain and use the most appropriate medical equipment and adaptive housing solutions for their conditions and situations. He will share how advocacy improves recovery, reduces disability, and produces the most positive experience for the injured worker.

Natalie Torres, Senior Director of Client Solutions for Workfinders USA discusses return-to-work solutions that support the return of every worker to good health and meaningful work.

Nicole Corey, ARM, CRIS, WCCP with California Work Comp Advocacy will bring her more than 20 years’ experience as an adjuster and broker claims advocate to the panel. Nicole will focus on how an approach centered on communication, collaboration and compassion helps employers and injured workers navigate the often confusing and complex claims process in California.

The free webinar starts at 1 p.m. Eastern and 10 a.m. Pacific. Register here: https://www.workfindersusa.com/shifting-perspective#Bot

ATF Medical Makes Dream Come True for Dad

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

Robert was injured when a 1700-pound pallet fell on him, leaving him a complete paraplegic. Then he developed an infection in his leg that resulted in an amputation.

He had been struggling for a year trying to get his wheelchair (not from ATF Medical) to work with his lifestyle when his case was referred to ATF Medical and he met Rehab Specialist, Kevin Wallace, ATP, CRTS.

His manual TiLite TRA was fine for indoor use, but Robert needed to be able to wheel around his roughly two-acre property. Much of his land is hilly, and he likes to hunt and fish and enjoy his creek. Also, his property sits next to a national park with trails he wanted to explore.

But most of all, he wanted to be able to take his two-year-old daughter on his nature excursions.

Upon receiving the case, Kevin called Robert to discuss his injuries and capabilities, lifestyle and terrain, and his desire to bond with his little girl. Having previously worked in pediatrics, Kevin knew nothing on the market had a toddler seat attachment.

So, he went to work designing a way to attach and remove a toddler bicycle seat easily and safely. Robert and his fabulous case manager bought into the concept, and Kevin made a mount for a rack, connected it to a freewheel extension.

The big moment came when he attached the toddler seat to the chair. The expression on Robert’s face was priceless.

“His chair has a dump to it, to keep him positioned in the back of the chair, and his daughter can sit in front, facing him. He can keep an eye on her and see what’s happening in front of them,” Kevin explained.

Kevin also switched out the rims and tires with larger, sturdier rims and big knobby tires, careful to keep the seat-to-floor height. Now, Robert can easily access parts of his property that he hadn’t laid eyes on since his injury. He can also use a single handle to easily detach the freewheel device and seat, when riding without his little passenger.

This is just another example of how ATF Medical goes above and beyond to help injured employees live their best lives. With innovation and caring about the injured person’s desire to enjoy the outdoors and introduce nature to his little girl, Kevin made Robert’s desires a reality.

CEAC Certification Goes to Karissa Peffer

Wednesday, September 9th, 2020

Our Senior Coordinator of Adaptive Housing Solutions Karissa Peffer recently received the Certified Environmental Access Consultant (CEAC) certification. Karissa, who coordinates adaptive housing solutions, works closely with contractors and rehabilitation specialists and therapists, to make sure injured workers’ home modifications are appropriate for the injured worker’s physical condition and lifestyle.

The CEAC course covers the impact of a disability on home and work environments as well as function and safety, along with legal and ethical obligations. Learn more here.

Applying that knowledge to housing solutions within the workers’ compensation industry requires creativity, clinical knowledge, logic, and a great deal of organization. “Karissa has them all,” said ATF Medical’s Executive Director of Rehab Technology, Erin Zablocki, CMDE, CEAC, ECHM. “The CEAC designation tells our clients and future clients that Karissa is highly qualified to help them customize solutions that maximize their injured workers’ independence, physical capabilities, and enable them to enjoy life to the fullest.”

ATF Medical strongly supports continuing education, giving its team members time off to attend courses like this and reimbursing fees.  We want to make sure our clients receive the most innovative solutions possible.

Join us in congratulating Karissa.  You can contact her at Kpeffer@atfmedical.com.