Re: Growing a rehab service..

[Guest guest]

We have a different set up however we are doing a ton of rehab as an alternative to surgery. May not be as easy since you are in a surgical facility. Other practices I know of like yours actually build the cost of a certain number of rehab sessions into the cost of surgery and so it is already paid for and once the client starts the rehab they see what a great benefit it is and may then keep coming. Also it may benefit you to market your services to outside vet practices that may have patients they would refer to you. That is difficult however because they may not want to risk losing their patients to a different facility. Key word here is market yourself and sell your product! Educate the surgeons and doctors in the practice about rehab, what you do and how it will benefit their patients. Most of the time the problem is they have no idea what rehab is even though you are in the same building! Last thing is prove to them your value!Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRTCalifornia Animal Rehabilitation

Hi everyone,

I work in a large specialty practice with a very big orthopedic and neuro caseload. Our rehab deaprtment is about a year old, and we are trying to get some ideas on how to make our service more productive and busy- one of our big goals is to get a larger number of our post op surgery cases back for rehab. We currently see patients for a consultation at the 2 week suture removal appointment (this is included in the surgery fee). We seem to be struggling to get these clients to come back for the recommended rehab, as they have already paid a lot for surgery. We offer packages, underwater treadmill only sessions, and 6 day a week hours with 2 certified rehab veterinarians and 2 certified techs. Any other ideas on how other specialty hospitals are doing this and being financially productive?

Thanks so much for any imput!

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam.

Get in on the surgical (or neurosurgical) discharge session. Say hello to the

clients, show them how to do ROM, ice, walk, lift/carry their dog in the acute

stage. They will be very grateful for your time and happy to see your familiar

face when it comes time for your appointment at suture removal.

Amie

Amie Lamoreaux Hesbach, MSPT, CCRP, CCRT

Physical Therapist

Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital

20 Cabot Road

Woburn, MA 01801

Phone:

Fax:

E-mail: ahesbach@...

Website: www.IVGMassVet.com

>

> Hi everyone,

> I work in a large specialty practice with a very big orthopedic and neuro

caseload. Our rehab deaprtment is about a year old, and we are trying to get

some ideas on how to make our service more productive and busy- one of our big

goals is to get a larger number of our post op surgery cases back for rehab. We

currently see patients for a consultation at the 2 week suture removal

appointment (this is included in the surgery fee). We seem to be struggling to

get these clients to come back for the recommended rehab, as they have already

paid a lot for surgery. We offer packages, underwater treadmill only sessions,

and 6 day a week hours with 2 certified rehab veterinarians and 2 certified

techs. Any other ideas on how other specialty hospitals are doing this and

being financially productive?

> Thanks so much for any imput!

> Pam

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you..we are planning another meeting with the surgeons to discuss!

To: "VetRehab " <VetRehab > Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2012 8:30 PMSubject: Re: Growing a rehab service..

We have a different set up however we are doing a ton of rehab as an alternative to surgery. May not be as easy since you are in a surgical facility. Other practices I know of like yours actually build the cost of a certain number of rehab sessions into the cost of surgery and so it is already paid for and once the client starts the rehab they see what a great benefit it is and may then keep coming. Also it may benefit you to market your services to outside vet practices that may have patients they would refer to you. That is difficult however because they may not want to risk losing their patients to a different facility. Key word here is market yourself and sell your product! Educate the surgeons and doctors in the practice about rehab, what you do and how it will benefit their patients. Most of the time the problem is they have no idea what rehab is even though you are in the same building! Last thing is prove

to them your value!

Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRT

California Animal Rehabilitation

Hi everyone,

I work in a large specialty practice with a very big orthopedic and neuro caseload. Our rehab deaprtment is about a year old, and we are trying to get some ideas on how to make our service more productive and busy- one of our big goals is to get a larger number of our post op surgery cases back for rehab. We currently see patients for a consultation at the 2 week suture removal appointment (this is included in the surgery fee). We seem to be struggling to get these clients to come back for the recommended rehab, as they have already paid a lot for surgery. We offer packages, underwater treadmill only sessions, and 6 day a week hours with 2 certified rehab veterinarians and 2 certified techs. Any other ideas on how other specialty hospitals are doing this and being financially productive?

Thanks so much for any imput!

Pam

[Guest guest]

We have a high orthopedic surgery caseload and the surgeon includes immediate post op rehab in the estimates. I do PROM, laser and cold therapy immediately post op and then repeat PROM and ice at least 2 more times in the next 24 hours. At discharge I show the owners how to do it, explain what we did while the patient was here, and explain the importance of keeping the joint moving to reduce stiffness and improve weight bearing, maintain joint health. We offer a 6 session bundle to all owners at discharge and I explain that I'd like to see them back for laser and PROM assessment 3-4 days after surgery and at least one other time before the 10-14 day mark and then see them about once a week for weight shifting, etc. Most of the time I can get them to agree to rehab for at least 8 weeks post op in 6-10 sessions.

Growing a rehab service..

Hi everyone,

I work in a large specialty practice with a very big orthopedic and neuro caseload. Our rehab deaprtment is about a year old, and we are trying to get some ideas on how to make our service more productive and busy- one of our big goals is to get a larger number of our post op surgery cases back for rehab. We currently see patients for a consultation at the 2 week suture removal appointment (this is included in the surgery fee). We seem to be struggling to get these clients to come back for the recommended rehab, as they have already paid a lot for surgery. We offer packages, underwater treadmill only sessions, and 6 day a week hours with 2 certified rehab veterinarians and 2 certified techs. Any other ideas on how other specialty hospitals are doing this and being financially productive?

Thanks so much for any imput!

Pam

[Guest guest]

It starts with the surgeon, during each interaction they have with the client.

If they barely mention it or are barely educated about the benefits then the

client won't be interested.

I had this same problem at another facility I worked at.

Usually the surgeons are pleased with results post op (no surgical failure, dog

is using the leg " well " , so the client is as well.) maybe building goniometry

goals and muscle girth into specialist appointments/ assessments would help if

you haven't already done so.

-

L Hagler BS RVT CCRP CVPP CBW

Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner

Small Animal Osteoarthritis Case Manager

Canine Body Worker

www.goldengaitcanine.com

www.ivapm.org

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