179385 Assistive technology reutilization program outcomes

Monday, October 27, 2008: 4:30 PM

Kerri A. Morgan, MSOT OTR/L ATP , Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Carla Walker, MSOT OTR/L , Paraquad, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Kim Walker, OTD , Paraquad, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Lindsey Bean, OTDS , Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
As the cost of providing assistive technology continues to increase and reimbursement becomes more difficult, alternative ways of accessing equipment is needed. In 2005 Missouri Medicaid service provision throughout the state was reduced and restricted for approximately 27,000 people impacting the ability to obtain Durable Medical Equipment. The Assistive Technology Reutilization Program for Independent Living is a collaboration between Paraquad (a Center for Independent Living) and the Washington University Program in Occupational Therapy. The goal of the program is to increase access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities through the establishment of a reutilization program for other Independent Living Centers and community organizations. An emphasis has been placed on matching the proper equipment to the person, fitting the equipment to the person and training the person how to safely use the equipment. The Assistive Technology Reutilization Program for Independent Living has distributed over 600 pieces of assistive technology to persons in St. Louis and surrounding regions. Many recipients of the reutilized equipment were denied by the Missouri Medicaid program and had no other choice for receiving equipment. Outcome measures have been developed to track the impact of this program on the use, disuses, abandonment and effects of the device on the participation of the consumers receiving the equipment. This presentation will describe the program, discuss the development of outcome measures and report results from data collected on participants that have received devices from the program.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define what an assistive technology reutilization program encompasses. 2. Describe the benefits of distributing assistive technology through a reutilization program 3. Identify the importance of tracking outcomes related to distributing reutilized assistive technology devices.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a faculty member at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine Program in Occupational Therapy and teach coursework related to Assistive Technology. Also, I manage several federally funded grants related to reutilization and assistive technology. Finally, I am certified as an Assistive Technology Professional through the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.