Re: 3-D Printed Prosthesis

Wil Haines

Description

Title:

Re: 3-D Printed Prosthesis

Creator:

Wil Haines

Date:

11/17/2014

Text:

Dear Colleagues and Guests,

I am concerned about O&P practitioners being forced to gather
pharmaceutical data about patients. Without appropriate pharmaceutical
and more extensive medical training, I believe we are setting ourselves
up for some serious liability lawsuits. Having been sued in the past for
$20,000,000.00 in a wrongful death case, I have had the unfortunate
pleasure to experience the mindset of trial lawyers and liability
insurance carriers who quickly want to settle everything out of court it
seems. By the way, our case was eventually settled for $100,000.00
between three defendants, and it was a truly a frivolous case that had
very little to do with O&P. But before the settlement occurred, it
created a definite 1 1/2 pucker-factor. Trial lawyers seem to have a
penchant for the term you should have known better. Without
appropriate knowledge of the intent and effect of various pharmaceutical
agents upon the body, I can quickly see the you should have known
better tactic being played by trial lawyers within the O&P system.
Without appropriate pharmaceutical training, I think we would find
ourselves without a valid defense in some problem cases where we
compiled detailed lists of medications that our clients were taking. I
understand the intent of CMS and other carriers who want to help ensure
accountable care outcomes, but I also believe, by forcing us to collect
a patient's pharmaceutical data, they are setting themselves and us up
for some unpleasant experiences down the road. Some may certainly
disagree with my thoughts about this and I may be overreacting, but I
felt it was important to at least bring the subject up. With so many
lawyers now advertising on television with a seemingly endless arsenal
of lawsuit worthy claims, it seems that our leadership may want to take
a look at this in the not-too-distant future.

Regards,

Wil Haines, CPO/L
Bionic Solutions
Avon, IN 46123


On 11/14/2014 5:47 PM, Glenn wrote:
> A list member previously posed the question about how the profession feels
> about the publicity received by printed hands.
>
> The URL below is for an organization devoted to promoting printing of
> prostheses. You will note they mention the importance of PT/OT but never
> mention the trained prosthetist.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> <URL Redacted>
>
> Morris Gallo, LPO
>
>

Citation

Wil Haines, “Re: 3-D Printed Prosthesis,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/236854.