Re: Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize

Re: Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize

WRFNEWYORK

7/14/1999

PLEASE DELETE US FROM YOUR MAILING LINST.
THANK YOU.


-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Barr < <Email Address Redacted> >
To: <Email Address Redacted> < <Email Address Redacted> >
Date: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 8:55 AM
Subject: Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize


>Some historical background on amputee surgery to share with
subscribers.Thanks Don!
>
>----------
>Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 18:00:22
>From: Donald G. Shurr
>To: Tony Barr
>Subject: Re: Barr Foundation trip to Belize
>
>Tony
>If you read the history of amputation surgery in the US in the 1960s and
>even 1970s, the knee was sacrificed for the sake of wound healing.
>The point has to be made to the government as to the value to both the
>patient and the government to save the knee. Until then, the surgeons will
>continue in their practice.
>
>Don Shurr, CPO,PT
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Tony Barr < <Email Address Redacted> >
>To: <Email Address Redacted> < <Email Address Redacted> >
>Date: Tuesday, July 13, 1999 2:59 PM
>Subject: Barr Foundation trip to Belize
>
>
>>Thought I may share these with fellow subscribers amps and practitioners:
>>
>>During my recent amputee assistance mission with the LEAP Foundation to
>Belize Central America, I found it very interesting and sad that the
>surgeons, contracted by the govt.,would more likely severe the limb above
>the knee even though the infected area was in the lower extremity,even for
>diabetic foot ulcers!! I was taken back by the numbers of a/k amputees as
>the result of amputation surgery in an effort to stop the spreading of
>diabetes or other vascualar/circulatory diseases that most often provide
>warning in the lower extremeties.
>>
>>Apparently, this practice is to prevent the cost of another amputation in
>the event the infection was not contained or eliminated from the first
>operation.The way I understand the present system of surgical reimbursement
>for medical amputation in Belize, as in Mexico and most other Central and
>South American countries,government compensates the surgeon for the initial
>amputation, not for subsequent amputations or prosthetic treatment of any
>kind. Hence the decision to cut at a much higher level than may be
>necessary!!!
>>
>>As the profession can attest ,fitting and successful prosthetic
>rehabilitation of a b/k has a higher success rate and is more cost
>effective than that of a a/k. But prosthetic cost matter's not when there
>is no coverage for any prosthetics or welfare system for amputees or the
>disabled.
>>
>>In spite of the recently debated short comings of the U.S.A medicare O&P
>policy, I quess everything is relative.
>>We amps should count ourselfs lucky but not still not become satisfied
with
>no educational requirements for practitioners providing O&P services or
>lack of proper O&P coverage.**
>>
>>
>>** Support Congressman Robert Wexler's (D-Fla) House Resolution 1938
>introduced May 22,1999 and to be named :
>> The William G. Barr Amputee Protection Act of 1999
>>
>>Thanks Tony
>>
>>
>