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1 OPGA Member Magazine Össur offers on-site clinical education . . page 6 OPGA Attends Proposed LCD Public Comment Session. . . page 8 PEL: New PEL Plus Program Exclusive for OPGA Members. . . page 4 AOPA 2015

Transcript of PEL: New PEL Plus Program Exclusive for OPGA Members. . . page 4

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OPGA Member Magazine

Össur offers on-site clinical education . . page 6

OPGA Attends Proposed LCD Public Comment Session. . . page 8

PEL: New PEL Plus Program Exclusive for OPGA Members. . . page 4

AOPA 2015

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Members, Manufacturers and Colleagues,

To all who took the time to submit comments and or come to Baltimore and DC for the live comments and demonstration, thank you. Our profession owes you a debt of gratitude. I have never been more proud to work within this profession. Below is my submission, I work for you so you should know what was sent to Dr. Brennan from OPGA.

August 21, 2015Stacey V. Brennan, M.D. FAAFP

CMS and the prosthetic providers have important things in common, most important is the Medicare beneficiary. As a prosthetist my clinical responsibility is to manage prosthetic care to maximize function, health and quality of life of the patients we serve.

Clearly the goal is to reduce expense connected to the care of amputee patients, to accomplish this you must look at the total continuum of care and not just the prosthetic care expense. Over the past decade, nearly 1 billion dollars has been spent on prosthetic research. This research, focused on improving functional status and funded by the federal government has had profound impact on the quality of life of the patients we together provide care to.

The Dobson DaVanzo study, "Retrospective Cohort Study of the Economic Value of Orthotic and Prosthetic Services among Medicare Beneficiaries" final report completed and delivered July of 2013, has shown that appropriate use of technology actually reduces the overall cost of care for amputees by keeping them active.

CMS cannot provide prosthetic care and maintenance; Prosthetists cannot finance prostheses, we need to work together to accomplish our common goal of providing appropriate levels of prosthetic care for CMS beneficiaries. Including providers when formulating strategies to control costs would help create a pathway for sustained success for both payer and providers.

I am speaking of care not components and people not prostheses.

NEWS from the President

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OPGA Responds to Lower LimbLCO Proposal

Dennis E. Clark, CPO, President, OPGAYour Independent Partner

in the Fight of Our Professional Lives

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Table of ContentsLetter from OPGA President Dennis Clark ................................................................................. 2

O&P1 ................................................................................................................................................. 2

New PEL Plus Program Yields Unsurpassed Outcomes

From PEL. ........................................................................................................................................... 4

PEL...................................................................................................................................................... 5

Össur® Offers On-site Clinical Education ................................................................................... 6

Össur®................................................................................................................................................ 7

OPGA Shows Large Presence at DME MAC Public Meeting .................................................. 8

By OPGA

Wright & Filippis Announces Acquisitions and Opening of New Office ............................. 9

Comfort Products Inc. ...................................................................................................................... 9

The Best Defense is a Good Offense

By Pam Felkins Colbert, The van Halem Group ........................................................................... 10-11

The van Halem Group .................................................................................................................... 11

Breg® ................................................................................................................................................. 12-13

Brightree ........................................................................................................................................... 14

biodesigns, inc. ............................................................................................................................... 15

ACOR® .............................................................................................................................................. 16

ACOR® - Introducing Sole Defense® EZ-Fit Orthotics ................................................................. 17

VGM Market Data ......................................................................................................................... 18

VGM Insurance ................................................................................................................................ 19

Silver Linings for O&P Devices .................................................................................................... 20-22

By Knit-Rite®

Knit-Rite®........................................................................................................................................... 21

M-Brace™ ........................................................................................................................................ 23

Trulife ................................................................................................................................................ 24-25

Coyote Design ................................................................................................................................. 26

Friddle's ........................................................................................................................................... 27

Drew Shoe ........................................................................................................................................ 28

Liberating Technologies, Inc. ........................................................................................................ 29

Flo-Tech ............................................................................................................................................. 30

Comfort Products Inc ..................................................................................................................... 31

Premier Education Conference ..................................................................................................... 32

OPGA Speakers at AOPA ............................................................................................................ 33

Forbin ................................................................................................................................................ 34

Premier Plus Live ............................................................................................................................. 35

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Össur® Offers On-site Clinical Education Days and International Prosthetic Symposiumin U.S. Focusing on Low-active Amputees INTERNATIONAL

PROSTHETIC SYMPOSIUMRehabilitation and Prosthetic Solutions for the Low Activity AmputeeNovember 19 - 21, 2015 • Össur Academy • Orlando, FloridaJoin us for this unique event featuring key opinion leaders focusing on Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Solutions for the

Low Activity Amputee. The Program is intended for multi-disciplinary teams active in the field of amputee rehabilitation and

will explore the unique needs of low active amputees, as well as prosthetic solutions available to improve patient outcomes.

The Need for an Integrated Team Approach to Prosthetic Management

A review of the multi-disciplinary approach to the management of amputee care. Each member of an amputee's rehabilitation team — surgeon, PM&R physician, PT, prosthetist — will influence the rehabilitation process and prosthetic selection. Together, these specialists focus on optimizing outcomes based on patient needs, medical necessity and desired outcomes within the constraints of legal compliance.

George E. Hipp, MDJeffry G. Pirofsky, DOChris Ireland, DPT, OCS, PTGlenn Crumpton, LPO, CEO

Evidence-Based Amputee Rehabilitation (EBAR) of the Elderly Person with Limb LossRobert S. Gailey, PhD, PT

Lower Limb Amputation Due to Vascular Problems: Surgical and Rehabilitation AspectsJan HB Geertzen, MD, PhD

Osteoarthritis in the Low Active AmputeeKatherine Dec CAQSM, FAAPMR, MD

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

SPACE IS LIMITED! View the full agenda and register today

ossur.com/ips3

© ÖSSUR, 09.2015

FOLLOW ÖSSUR ON TEL (800) 233-6263FAX (800) 831-3160WWW.OSSUR.COM

IPS OPGA Review 1015.indd 1 8/31/15 1:27 PM

Global prosthetics and orthotics innovator Össur is offering

on-site Clinical Education Days to prosthetic practices across

the U.S. to highlight its new, comprehensive line of prosthetic

solutions for low active amputees. The no-cost sessions are worth

4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and include opportunities

for patient fittings of Össur’s Low Activity Solutions, including new

products like Balance Knee Control, the Seal-In X liner and the

K2 Sensation foot with D/P Flexion hydraulic ankle unit and Unity

Sleeveless Vacuum.

According to Kim De Roy, CPO/PT, Össur’s Vice President of

Sales & Marketing and Education, Prosthetics for Össur Americas,

the company developed its Low Activity Solutions in response

to clinician request for more solutions to serve the growing

population of low active amputees, who are seeking prostheses

that provide stability as well as the innovation and quality for

which Össur is known.

“As a company, Össur is committed to providing all individuals

with the right technological solutions to help them regain their

mobility and pursue a life without limitations,” De Roy said.

Prosthetic professionals who want to reserve an on-site Clinical

Education Day for their practice can register online at http://

www.ossur.com/las-edu.

Register Now for Össur’s International Prosthetic Symposium on Nov. 19-21

Össur will host an International Prosthetic Symposium focusing

on Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Solutions for the Low Activity

Amputee at its state-of-the-art Össur Academy facility in

Orlando, Florida. The three-day program is intended for

individual professionals and multi-disciplinary teams (PM&Rs,

CPOs, PTs, OTs, nurses) who are active in the field of amputee

rehabilitation.

An impressive program of clinical experts will discuss

rehabilitation, prosthetic solutions, elevated vacuum systems,

and post-operative approaches for enhancing clinical outcomes.

Common co-morbidities affecting this important and growing

patient population, such as osteoarthritis and diabetes, will also

be covered.

“Össur Academy is committed to providing quality prosthetic

and orthopedic knowledge, which we believe will ultimately help

optimize patient outcomes,” said Tom Daniels, Director, Össur

Academy. “We are looking forward to hosting the symposium

this November, where attendees will receive worthwhile content

and participate in meaningful discussions about the needs of low

active amputees.”

Among speakers invited to participate at the Symposium are:

Vibor Agrawal, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Miami

Miller School of Medicine; Joshua Bernard, DPM, DABHAS,

DABPM, of James A. Haley Veterans Hospital; Ryan Caldwell,

CP/LA, FAAOP, Northwestern University Prosthetic-Orthotic

Center; Glenn Crumpton, LPO, CEO of Alabama Artificial Limb

and Orthopedic Service, Inc.; Katherine Dec, MD, VCU School

of Medicine; Robert Gailey, Ph.D., PT, University of Miami Miller

School of Medicine and Miami VA Medical Center; George Hipp,

MD, of Montgomery Vascular Surgery; Chris Ireland, PT, DPT,

OCS, Clinical Director of PT Solutions Physical Therapy; Kristleifur

Kristjansson, MD, Medical Officer, Research & Development,

Össur; Jeffry Pirofsky, DO, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Neurosurgery and Spine Associates of Central Alabama, and

Allison Wahoff, formerly of Colorado Rehabilitation and Denver

Clinic for Extremities at Risk.

Registration for the Symposium is available on a first-come, first-

served basis, and is available here: www.ossur.com/ips2.

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INTERNATIONAL PROSTHETIC SYMPOSIUMRehabilitation and Prosthetic Solutions for the Low Activity AmputeeNovember 19 - 21, 2015 • Össur Academy • Orlando, FloridaJoin us for this unique event featuring key opinion leaders focusing on Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Solutions for the

Low Activity Amputee. The Program is intended for multi-disciplinary teams active in the field of amputee rehabilitation and

will explore the unique needs of low active amputees, as well as prosthetic solutions available to improve patient outcomes.

The Need for an Integrated Team Approach to Prosthetic Management

A review of the multi-disciplinary approach to the management of amputee care. Each member of an amputee's rehabilitation team — surgeon, PM&R physician, PT, prosthetist — will influence the rehabilitation process and prosthetic selection. Together, these specialists focus on optimizing outcomes based on patient needs, medical necessity and desired outcomes within the constraints of legal compliance.

George E. Hipp, MDJeffry G. Pirofsky, DOChris Ireland, DPT, OCS, PTGlenn Crumpton, LPO, CEO

Evidence-Based Amputee Rehabilitation (EBAR) of the Elderly Person with Limb LossRobert S. Gailey, PhD, PT

Lower Limb Amputation Due to Vascular Problems: Surgical and Rehabilitation AspectsJan HB Geertzen, MD, PhD

Osteoarthritis in the Low Active AmputeeKatherine Dec CAQSM, FAAPMR, MD

TOPICS AND SPEAKERS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING

SPACE IS LIMITED! View the full agenda and register today

ossur.com/ips3

© ÖSSUR, 09.2015

FOLLOW ÖSSUR ON TEL (800) 233-6263FAX (800) 831-3160WWW.OSSUR.COM

IPS OPGA Review 1015.indd 1 8/31/15 1:27 PM

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Over 500 amputees, practitioners, practice owners and advocates from the O&P community attended the DME MAC Public Comment Meeting for the currently proposed LCD changes. OPGA president Dennis Clark, OPGA Government Relations Director Tom Powers and OPGA Vice President Todd Eagen made the trip to Baltimore to participate in this extremely important, unprecedented meeting.

It was inspiring to hear the passionate and common sense comments from everyone who spoke against this egregious proposal. All in the O&P profession should be proud as the vast majority of the comments focused on the appropriate topic, the incredibly negative impact on beneficiaries. A huge “thank you” to everyone who attended the meeting, whether in person or via phone. You have OPGA’s continued commitment to fight this issue. OPGA President Dennis Clark’s official comment was as follows:

“CMS and prosthetic providers have important things in common. Most important is the Medicare beneficiary."

As a prosthetist, my clinical responsibility is to manage prosthetic care to maximize function, health and quality of life of the patients I serve.

Clearly the goal is to reduce expense connected to the care of amputee patients; to accomplish this you must look at the total continuum of care and not just the prosthetic care expense. Over the past decade, nearly $1 billion has been spent on prosthetic research. This research, focused on improving functional status and funded by the federal government, has had profound impact on patients’ quality of life.

The Dobson DaVanzo study, “Retrospective Cohort Study of the Economic Value of Orthotic and Prosthetic Services among Medicare Beneficiaries” completed and delivered in July 2013, has shown that appropriate use of technology actually reduces the overall cost of care for amputees by keeping them active.

CMS cannot provide prosthetic care and maintenance. Prosthetists cannot finance prostheses. We need to work together to accomplish our common goal of providing appropriate levels of prosthetic care for CMS beneficiaries. Including providers when formulating strategies to control costs would help create a pathway for sustained success for both payer and providers.I am speaking of care, not components, and people, not prostheses.”

OPGA Shows Large Presence at DME MAC Public Comment Meeting for Proposed LCD

OPGA President Dennis Clark delivers his comments at the recent proposed LCD hearing(at right), while Clark discusses the hearing with Dr. Stacey Brennan (at left).

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The Best Defense is a Good Offense

How’s Your Defense?With fall in the air, we automatically think of football, whether it is NFL, SEC or high school! The adage of “the best defense is a good offense” applies to football and many other endeavors, including billing for health care services. All providers and suppliers are keenly aware of the numerous Medicare contractors’ pre-payment reviews. The results of these audits are published for all to see -- and learn that your best defense is a good offense. Your “good offense” is complete and accurate documentation to support your claims. Reduce your errors, increase your revenues!

The DME MAC for Jurisdiction A, NHIC, has published some specific examples of errors identified during the CERT reviews from October to December 2014 in claims submitted for Lower Limb Prostheses (LCD L11464) which included missing documents as follows:

• Missing Treating Physician’s detailed written order (DWO) for the items billed (L5707 / L5652 / L5705-K3-RT)

• Missing Physician’s documentation of the reason for re-placement (L8440-LT-K2)

• Missing Delivery documentation to support beneficiary received billed items on date of service

On July 30, 2015, the DME MAC for Jurisdiction A, NHIC, published the results of its widespread prepay review of claims for Lumbar-Sacral Orthoses, HCPCS Codes L0631/L0637, which found an error rate of 82 percent from December 2014 – February 2015. That was down from the 87 percent error rate in April – August 2014. The errors were found in the DWO (11 percent - missing; 26 percent - incomplete); Medical records (9 percent - missing; 23 percent incomplete); Proof of Deliver (POD) (10 percent - missing; 19 percent incomplete).

These errors can cost you the game! Not sending in any records = just not showing up on the field. Producing all but one document or an incomplete document is a fumble you can’t afford.

DME MAC Jurisdiction A noted in its report,that it performs an ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of its prepayment widespread reviews and “measures suppliers’ performance with providing complete and accurate documentation and their response rate to Additional Documentation Requests (ADRs).” (page 3 of 3).

The “best defense is a good offense” is also recognized by the DME MAC Jurisdiction A, as it specifically notes that:

When a supplier achieves and maintains high quality accuracy and ADR response rate over three (3) quarterly periods, the supplier will be temporarily removed from that particular widespread review. The supplier’s authorized official will be notified and provided details of this decision (page 3 of 3).

A Strong Defense is Needed in All ArenasCMS is also monitoring your error rates and it can cost you more than the game. It can cost you your billing privileges. CMS issued a new “Final Rule” on Dec. 3, 2014, under authority of the Affordable Care Act, for “new safeguards to reduce Medicare fraud.” This new rule “improves CMS’ ability to deny or revoke the enrollment of entities and individuals that pose a program integrity risk to Medicare.” CMS now has the authority and ability to:

Revoke billing privileges of providers and suppliers that have a pattern or practice of billing for services that do not meet Medicare requirements. This is intended to address providers and suppliers that regularly submit improper claims in such a way that it poses a risk to the Medicare program. [emphasis added]

Do you submit complete and accurate supporting documentation? Do you file duplicate claims? Did you use the correct code or modifier? Know the answers to these and other questions to build your strong offense during these audits and you will have a strong defense in protecting your billing privileges and your revenues.

Another arena where a strong offense is required is with the Recovery Audit Contractors. CMS has made numerous changes to the new RAC contracts, which were rebid and are currently under bid protests. Once the new RAC contracts are final, there will be one national RAC for DMEPOS. One of the “improvements” by CMS in response to “industry feedback” is that ADRs limits will be based on the provider’s/supplier’s compliance with Medicare rules. So the lower your error/denial rates are, the lower your ADRs requests will be … and vice versa!

By Pam Felkins Colbert, JD, Senior Consultant, Vice President, The van Halem Group

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How Do You Strengthen Your Defense? Internal Auditing!Internal Audits are like going to the weight room and working out to build your muscles and strength. It is critically important that you perform internal audits and monitor your claims to ensure complete and accurate documentation - before THEY audit you. It is critically important that you identify and correct errors in your claims. It is critically important to not “regularly submit improper claims” or “have a pattern and practice of billing for services that do not meet Medicare requirements” and pose a risk to the Medicare program. Otherwise, you are at risk of increasing more pre-pay and post-pay audits by CMS contractors and even having CMS revoke your billing privileges.

Stay strong! Build a great offense for the best defense of your services!

To view the reports associated with Pam’s article, please visit the van Halem Group website at blog.vanhalemgroup.com.

About The van Halem Group, LLCOur business is understanding the nation’s preeminent health care entitlement program. Since the program’s inception in 1965, its amended and growing charge has often confounded beneficia-ries and providers, troubled oversight agencies, and in the worst cases, allowed for fraud and abuse within the system – costing Americans millions. Our proven experience and sound counsel, captured in lectures and publications, has uniquely positioned us as a resource to health care providers, government agencies, Medicare contractors, legal counsel, law enforcement and jour-nalists.

The van Halem Group, LLC is a small business that has become the nation’s most respected Medicare consulting and auditing firm. Collectively, our leadership team has over 130 years of related experience. Since 2006, we have helped our clients navigate complex issues related to Medicare and Medicaid. We specialize in compliance, audits, investigations, medical review, appeals, enrollment, coding, education and training.

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Acor Orthopaedic, established in 1972, is family-owned and operated, located in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been a leader in the custom-molded footwear, prefabricated foot orthotics and fabricating materials market for over four decades.

We have been a preferred supplier of custom-molded footwear to the growing family of OPGA members since 2001, and now offer OPGA substantial discounts on our entire line of prefabricated foot orthotics and custom Gauntlet AFOs.

This year, Acor is introducing a new line, our Sole Defense®

EZ-Fit Orthotics. EZ-Fit Orthotics use advanced materials to increase support, improve cushioning and have an overall thickness that is 40 percent thinner than our traditional orthotics! This makes them easier to fit and ideal for a retail solution. Many options and price points are available.

Acor offers eight styles of gauntlets and three trim lines for reinforcement to suit all of your patient needs. Gauntlets can be lined with X-Static® fabric, the silver fiber, for maximum protection and comfort. X-Static® is a pure silver fiber that is woven directly into the fabric and incorporated into our footwear, insoles and fabrication materials. Here are just a few of the excellent qualities of X-Static®:

• Kills bacteria: Stops bacterial and fungal growth without the use of harmful chemicals. X-Static® eliminates 99.9 percent of bacteria and fungi within one hour.

• Destroys odor: X-Static® naturally eliminates the growth of odor-causing bacteria by binding with ammonia and denatured proteins, resulting in instant odor reduction.

• Defends against hot spots and blisters: Hot spots and blisters can occur due to heat buildup and friction. X-Static® evenly distributes heat throughout the silver fibers, thereby protecting your feet against these problems.

Acor® has also been known over the years for its many innovations and an exemplary selection of materials. Things like Tri-Lam®, P-Cell®, QuikFormable®, Microcel Puff®, QuikStrip™ Wheels, Skived Blockers and the use of X-Static® with their materials are all firsts introduced by Acor.

Speaking of firsts, PORON® XRD® is now available from Acor! XRD® stands for Extreme Impact Protection. It is lightweight material that is engineered to absorb up to 90 percent of energy when impacted under high strain rates. This product is infused with an anti-microbial protectant which will help prevent the growth of bacteria that can cause stains and odors. Under the foot, the foam’s memory-like properties provide a contoured fit for each user. XRD® raises the bar when it comes to comfort, control, and protection.

It is our goal to ensure that we provide every OPGA member with quality products, unparalleled service and timely deliveries, all at a cost-effective pricing structure. We are committed to our continued, long-standing relationship with the OPGA and hope to see each and every one of you at the AOPA show this September. You can view all of our products on our website www.acor.com and download our catalogs, or call one of our technical support representatives for a copy. Free samples of any our prefabricated foot orthotics are available upon request for any OPGA member.

Introducing Sole Defense®

EZ-Fit Orthotics

FOLLOW OPGA ONLINE!

ADVANCING THE PROFESSION!

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Silver Linings for O & P Devices

Mark Smith, CP(r), Knit-Rite, Inc.

Continued on page 2220

In his book Skin Problems of the Amputee the late S. William Levy, MD, observed: “The amputation stump must be inserted into an airless plastic container, where it remains all day. In this confining situation, abnormal patterns of heat loss and heat retention occur, and the bacterial population is often changed from the normal.... The skin of the amputation stump within a socket is never completely dry, and it often becomes soft and macerated from long-lasting sweat and therefore provides a warm, moist, favorable habitat for most bacteria.”1

These age-old problems—excessive heat, moisture, and bacterial populations—remain a frequent reality in the skin environments of prostheses as well as orthoses. Clearly, the design of the skin interface material used with O&P devices should strive to optimally manage all of these factors. The use of silver-coated fibers in textile articles has been scientifically proven to help address these issues in other markets, and anecdotally interface products incorporating silver for use with O&P devices have widely demonstrated similar benefits.

History The use of silver for its medical benefits dates back thousands of years. The Romans were the first to document the healing powers of silver when used to cover wounds. Modern Western medicine recognizes silver as the most effective antimicrobial agent, natural or otherwise. Today, silver is used for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties in products ranging from bandages to burn treatments to catheters2. Silver works by effectively “smothering” bacteria at the cellular level, where silver ions bind with proteins inside and outside bacterial cell membranes, inhibiting cell respiration and reproduction. Silver ions don’t easily penetrate mammalian cells and pose no known collateral risk.

X-Static Silver-coated thread, licensed for use in textile products under the brand name X-Static®, by Noble Fiber Technologies, Scranton, PA, has had its bactericidal, moisture management, and thermodynamic values established in several studies. X-Static silver fiber consists of a layer of pure silver permanently bonded to the surface of a textile fiber. The process is such that the fiber, with its silver layer, retains traditional textile and tactile characteristics. X-Static safely offers all of the benefits known to be inherent to pure silver, in a textile fiber. A little silver goes a long way in killing bacteria: depending on the fabric, X-Static typically makes up about 5 percent of the overall garment.

X-Static has been tested for more than 250 washes with virtually no reduction in antibacterial performance. Stringent license requirements stipulate that every new use must be tested and pass the scrutiny of Noble Fiber Technologies before being released to the market. X-Static has been used primarily as an industrial and medical product, servicing high-tech industries and the Department of Defense.

AntimicrobialLaboratory studies at Penn State University reported significant bactericidal activity against E. coli, and the Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species. At room temperature, bacteria in the vicinity of the thread shows a rapid decrease in survival, usually after about an hour. In contact with the body at the normal temperature of 98.6º F, the bactericidal action was immediate. Nobel reports that when someone wears an X-Static product, the fiber is so effective that sweat itself actually becomes antimicrobial. The hotter and wetter the environment, the more effective X-Static becomes. 2

Moisture ManagementThrough both wicking and evaporative actions X-Static provides superior moisture management. Independent lab tests to measure moisture wicking, sponsored by Knit-Rite, Inc., have replicated results reported by Noble Fiber Technology, which demonstrate that test strips of X-Static/polyester fiber are superior to even CoolMax for moisture wicking. The silver fiber enhances the body’s natural ability to evaporate moisture as well. The conductivity of the X-Static fibers acts to accelerate the evaporation process. As evaporation occurs, a correspondingly greater amount of moisture can be drawn through the yarn system for subsequent evaporation.

Heat ManagementSilver is the most thermally conductive element on the planet. As the temperature warms, conduction provides the means for heat transfer. X-Static enhances the body’s natural reactions, acting much like a silver spoon in a cup of hot tea, by accelerating the conduction of heat away from the skin to the ambient air, thereby cooling the body.

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ApplicationsWide consumer experience with products containing X-Static silver fibers shows they contribute to comfort and health. For example, athletes from 60 countries wore X-Static socks at the 2004 Olympic games. NASA and the European Space Agency astronauts wear them, and the rapid deployment force in Iraq wore them. X-Static socks have been selected as official U.S. Army issue. X-Static fibers are being fabricated into clothing in almost every country in the world and are incorporated into wound care products.3 Noble has licensed its silver-coated fibers, under the X-Static brand, to more than 100 manufacturers.4

Traditional Prosthetic SocksBy combining X-Static silver fibers with wool or synthetic fibers, the X-Static controls bacteria to help keep skin healthy, reduce odor, and offer improved comfort and skin health through superior perspiration management and thermodynamic properties.

Liner Interface Prosthetic Socks Frequent reports of cysts and other bacteria-related skin problems under roll-on liners have led to the development of this newer prosthetic sock category. Marketed as the Liner-Liner™ prosthetic sock, this skin interface has quickly generated a widely favorable response for relieving liner-related, bacterial and perspiration-related irritations, as well as skin shear problems, more effectively than other interface options.

Protective Body Socks, AFO Socks, and Cranial Interface High percentages of body surface encapsulation within spinal orthoses and heat retention in AFOs and cranial devices support the need for providing increased comfort and skin health in orthoses. Patients have reported reductions in skin rashes, reduced odor, and greater comfort as a result of minimizing moisture contact with the skin, thus controlling bacterial irritation.

Diabetic Socks

Socks for diabetes stand to be more effective in helping to lower the bacterial population in the shoe environment and thus the risk of infection when made with X-Static. For individuals with loss of protective sensation, the possibility of an acquired wound having a prolonged exposure to infection risk by going unnoticed for several hours, might be reduced.

Prosthetic Shrinkers Shrinkers made with XStatic provide a more hygienic postoperative environment, especially in situations where wound exudates contact the shrinker material. Reduced phantom pain has been reported in several instances by patients wearing shrinkers made with X-Static. Because silver is the most conductive element, X-Static products will pick up the electrical charges on the surface of the skin and dissipate them. Further, whenever electricity passes through a medium, a magnetic field is created. Therefore, when the electrical currents from the body are distributed throughout the X-Static fiber, a magnetic field is created around the body.2 No matter how well the device is designed, if it is not comfortable, it is not a success1. Patients representing all of the above O&P device categories have reported improvements in skin condition and comfort as a result of wearing interface products made with silver fiber technology. Silver fiber is helping to make lives better in O&P.

References1. Levy SW, MD. Skin Problems of the Amputee, St. Louis: Warren H.

Green, Inc.

2. Noble Fiber Technologies, 421 South State Street, Clarks Summit, PA 18411. www.noblefiber.com

3. The Silver Institute, 1200 G Street, NW Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, www.silverinstitute.org

4. Kitchens S. Forbes November 10, 2003, pg 110.

HELP WANTEDEstablished O& P Practice in Farmington, N.M., is looking to add motivated CPO/BOCPO to its staff.

Requirements for the full-time position include a master’s degree. Part ownership is available for the right applicant. New graduates are welcome to apply.

Four Corners Artificial Limb and Brace has served the area for more than 30 years.

For more information, contact Justin at 801.854.8842 or [email protected]

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LIVE in the OPGA THEATRE

Booth 413

THURSDAY, OCT. 810:30 a.m. Anyone Can Give Up, We Won’t Speaker: Dennis Clark

12:20 p.m. Practical Solutions to Safeguarding your O&P Practice Speaker: Wayne van Halem

12:50 p.m. Utilizing Data to Grow your Business Speaker: Ryan Ball

FRIDAY, OCT. 910:30 a.m. Practical Solutions to Safeguarding your O&P Practice Speaker: Wayne van Halem

12:20 p.m. How to Own the Local Search Listings Speaker: Christina Throndson

12:40 p.m. Cyber-Crime – Are You Protected Speaker: Bill Wilson

Join us for these short talks by some of the profession’s best thought leaders.

SAVE THE DATE!

32

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33

LIVE in the OPGA THEATRE

Booth 413

THURSDAY, OCT. 810:30 a.m. Anyone Can Give Up, We Won’t Speaker: Dennis Clark

12:20 p.m. Practical Solutions to Safeguarding your O&P Practice Speaker: Wayne van Halem

12:50 p.m. Utilizing Data to Grow your Business Speaker: Ryan Ball

FRIDAY, OCT. 910:30 a.m. Practical Solutions to Safeguarding your O&P Practice Speaker: Wayne van Halem

12:20 p.m. How to Own the Local Search Listings Speaker: Christina Throndson

12:40 p.m. Cyber-Crime – Are You Protected Speaker: Bill Wilson

Join us for these short talks by some of the profession’s best thought leaders.

33

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34

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA Nov. 12-13

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA

Register or learn more: www.opga.com

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITATIONS

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35

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA Nov. 12-13

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA

Register or learn more: www.opga.com

LIFE WITHOUT LIMITATIONS

35

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1111 W. San Marnan Dr.PO Box 1467

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