Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize
Tony Barr
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Collection
Title:
Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize
Creator:
Tony Barr
Text:
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
>
>
----------
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
>
>
Citation
Tony Barr, “Fw: Barr Foundation trip to Belize,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 17, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/212037.
