National Seating & Mobility Monthly Minute

First and foremost, we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your continued partnership with National Seating & Mobility (NSM) as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together. We know you have a choice in who you collaborate with to keep your patients moving through life, and we are truly honored to be a part of your mobility solutions team.

In the spirit of collaboration, our goal is to keep you up to date on the evolution of NSM’s processes and procedures to limit the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to provide best-in-class safe and quality care to your patients. That is why in this month’s Monthly Minute, we would like to begin with a recap of our COVID-19 preparedness communications shared with you thus far.

In our first communication, the COVID-19 pandemic was just coming to light. So, our main focus was to assure you that we were committed to providing your patients with safe, quality care and to do so, had enacted additional infection control policies and procedures to limit the spread of COVID-19. To read the communication in its entirety, click here.

In the communications that followed, and as shelter in place orders, and social distancing became widely spread, we felt it our duty to keep you abreast of what NSM was doing to continue providing safe and quality care to your patients while limiting the spread of COVID-19. We shared with you NSM being considered an Essential Business and assured you we would continue to serve our clients and support you. This was followed by our updated Evaluation and Delivery Options, which included no contact and limited contact care options.

Then, this past week, out of the stormy COVID-19 landscape, came a ray of light in the form of several national payers issuing guidance allowing therapists and/or ATPs to utilize telehealth technology supporting CRT. This was a game-changer for us as we are now able to provide your patients with even more alternate care solutions that not only are HIPAA-compliant but effective options that maximize everyone’s safety. Work continues with CMS to push policy for updates allowing telehealth technology to be used in place of normal in-person requirements.

So here we are, settling into a strange new normal where the CDC recommends you wear a cloth covering over your face any time you leave your home, and practice social distancing. We at NSM want to assure you that regardless of the updates or changes to CDC guidelines and new government rules and regulations, you and your patient’s health and safety remain our top priority.

Again, thank you for your continued partnership. We are incredibly honored to be a part of your trusted team. Together, we will keep your patients moving through this difficult time – and always.

To view all previous COVID-19 communications click here.

National Seating and Mobility's Zach Stewart ATP has collaborated with Ginny Paleg DScPT, published author and pediatric expert, to create an overview of the therapy landscape during COVID and to think through alternative care models for CRT provision including Telehealth evaluations.

Please click the image above to begin the webinar to inform your therapeutic practice to positively impact patient outcomes.

To view the handouts referenced in the webinar click here and here.

In response to the Centers of Disease and Prevention (CDC) recommendation to use cloth face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19, NSM has purchased and shipped a supply of Level 2 Procedure Masks to all of our locations. The use of masks will enhance our current infection control procedures we already use each day to keep our employees, you and our shared clients safe.

NSM Technicians, ATPs and CSRs with direct client contact will wear a Level 2 Procedure Mask during all client interactions. NSM employees who do not have direct client contact will supply and wear their own mask or cloth face covering as a best practice in accordance with the updated CDC recommendation.

We want to ensure you and our shared clients feel safe in any interaction with an NSM employee, therefore, if a client does not have a mask or cloth face-covering we will provide them a Level 2 Procedure Mask for their appointment.

The CDC has some helpful guidelines for making and wearing masks. Click here to learn more.

Bridging the Gap Between Dependent & Independent Mobility

This demo was requested by the physical therapist at Kitsap Children’s Therapy, Kristin Zinn with the goal of bridging the gap between dependent and independent mobility for NSM client Charlotte Cypher. We are seeking alternate funding for this item through the Tricare ECHO program because it is non-coded.

Because of the success of this demonstration we are setting up an evaluation for the next step; a coded power wheelchair with appropriate seating.

Growing Pains

I am truly impressed and grateful for the work everyone has done to provide my son Douglas with equipment that is indispensable for his comfort and care. Douglas is now 11 years old and has had a major growth spurt in the past year that required a new hi-lo chair and wheelchair. Also, as he has become much heavier, a portable lift and shower chair have been provided for his safety and care. As he needed several pieces of equipment at once, I expected a lengthy process fraught with delays. I couldn't have been more wrong! Everything came in much faster and easier than I expected. And, I particularly wanted to thank Dave Charette for all his effort and expertise he has given our family in selecting the best items and options for Douglas.

Brayden's New Ride

Current events have made it even more important to offer solutions for equipment delivery, and we were so glad to work with Brayden and his family on their final fit, working with Brayden’s therapist via teleconference and taking necessary safety precautions. Brayden’s loving his new ride.

During this very challenging time, most facilities are closed due to COVID-19 and as a result, custom seating evaluations are not taking place. A large volume of facilities are working diligently to successfully discharge Injured Workers that require Mobility and Home Accessibility solutions!

We are experiencing a significantly higher volume of hospital discharges. Discharge readiness is a core component of the Work Compensation business and NSM’s National Workers’ Comp Care Coordination Team is here to support you with all required discharge equipment:

Our Work Comp Care Coordination team is available to work with your therapists and case managers to ensure your injured workers required discharge requests are handled quickly.
This includes Custom Mobility and seating evaluations via Telehealth and/or home evaluations, Home Modification assessments and safety evaluations, Vehicle Modifications and all accessibility equipment needs that may be required to ensure their home is safe post-discharge.
Contact us to see how our National Workers’ Compensation Program team can help you: 1-800-509-4886 or CustomerService@NSM-Seating.com.

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