Home | About | Resources | Blog | Family | Email Dan
Dan Gottry's Blog
Tuesday, December 05, 2006Consistent Quality of Care Through Hanger/LinkiaAfter Karen's * second surgery, her knee was placed in a cast by her doctor, to stabilize her knee. When the cast was removed, she was sent to a Hanger facility in Phoenix where she was under the care of a clinician in the process of meeting certification requirements. Her experience was a self-described "nightmare". She was to receive a type of full leg brace and subsequently and AFO. When she was fitted with the initial brace, she wasn't even able to wear it for the full ride home as it was too painful. She just assumed she just would need to "get used to it". It continued to get worse. When she want back to be fitted with an AFO, she was told she did not need to have a new mold/cast made as it could be done off the old brace. Because the brace never fit, she requested a new mold/cast but that request was refused. When she received the AFO, it fit so poorly that she was in fairly constant pain, had swelling in her ankle and could not support her own weight. Karen had physical therapy for two months with no success and was fighting depression. She wrongly believed that it was her issue ... she just wasn't trying hard enough. The therapist suggested that perhaps the brace wasn't right but who was Karen to question the professional who fitted her? Finally she returned to her doctor and saw the doctor's assistant. The assistant indicated that Karen's ankle appeared to have shifted. The assistant sent to another professional immediately. She learned that the brace was actually the wrong type of brace for her needs. Months of therapy could not relieve her pain. She was fitted with a new correct brace and, after walking for months with crutches or a walker, she was walking with one cane within less than a week and she continues to improve. At this point, Karen continues to battle her insurance company (United Healthcare) as they will only cover one brace every three years. Her reasonable question is ... what if it is the wrong brace? I guess that's a question that no one should have to ask. * Patient's name has been changed for confidentiality |
Previous PostsArchives
Helpful links
|
|
|
1 Comments:
Hello Dan,
I truly applaud you for your work with the Hanger/Linkia deal. You sound very resourceful and I enjoyed your website.
I worked at Hanger for over 7 years. When I first started to work, I considered them a great organization to be involved with. However, after the acquisition of NovaCare they went downhill quickly. I have met several employees from NovaCare that were transferred over with the purchase who have been instrumental in bringing nothing but bad things to the offices. Hanger was run very lean. NovaCare on the other hand was giving money hand over fist to managers, VP's, etc. Hanger took up this after the transition. In my opinion, Hanger has way too many Chiefs and not enough Indians.
The practioner who opened this facility had been with Hanger for over 20 years. He was fed up with all the Corporate BS and decided to go out on his own. We are very excited about our new office and feel that we will bring quality of care to the patients in this area with an experienced O & P practioner who has their best interest in mind, not the bottom dollar.
I have saved your website and will read your "Blog" as time permits. Hope all is well with your family and that you have a wonderful Holiday season!
Merry Christmas!
Post a Comment
<< Home