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MAOT News & Events
What's happening in Occupational Therapy in Massachusetts and across the nation.
MAOT ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2008
Linking Practice, Education and Research:
Reaching Our Centennial Vision
Westford Regency Inn and Conference Center
219 Littleton Road, Route 110
Westford, Massachusetts
- Friday, September 26, 2008 -
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Watch the Show Premiere
Sunday, May 11th - 8/7c on ABC
"A Small Town with a Big Heart"
Jeanson Homes and Fenton Contracting, based in Acton, Massachusetts, did what many consider the impossible. Together with ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition design team and hundreds of local subcontractors and volunteers, they built a new, wonderful home for the Giunta family from Maynard, Massachusetts.
More Information
Humbled at Walter Reed
By Kevin Cullen, Boston Globe Columnist | April 21, 2008
WASHINGTON - In the rehabilitation unit at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where every day is Patriots Day, there are nine "Rehab Rules" on the wall and the first commandment is: Share Your Story.
And so they do.
"I was riding shotgun in a Humvee and it came right through the door," Sergeant Ken Butler, 82d Airborne, was saying. "My right arm was almost sheared off. The charge entered the right side of my chest and it came out the left. I woke up a couple of weeks later."
When he woke up, he was in Walter Reed, 6,200 miles from the road near Baghdad where he got hit, and his right arm was gone.
He is 28 years old. How he survived, nobody knows. A chunk of molten metal went right through him.
"I was kind of out of it at first," Butler said, smiling. "I thought they had my arm on ice and were going to put it back on."
It's easy to pick out the New Englanders. They wear Red Sox hats. Butler's from Braintree. Sergeant First Class Ceamus McDermott is from Barnstable, but he's SFG - Special Forces Group - out of Springfield. Five months ago, he was jumping out of a truck in Afghanistan with a 50-caliber round in his hand when he fell.
"Damn thing went off," McDermott said.
Even if they had been able to find his right index finger, they wouldn't have been able to reattach it.
"To be honest," he said, "I was more [expletive] they pulled me out of country than I was having my finger blown off."
McDermott is 30 years old. What happened to him was as threatening to his career as a concert pianist wrecking his hand.
But he shrugs and says he'll get better.
There are 160 inpatients at Walter Reed.
There are 700 outpatients, what they call the Warrior Transition Brigade, trying to get back to where they were before Iraq and Afghanistan. Captain Sarah Mitsch, a Weymouth girl, is an occupational therapist and works with amputees. She was in Iraq, as was Major Matt St. Laurent, a therapist from New Hampshire, and so they carry an unspoken bond with the wounded warriors they tend.
"Some guys, we start from scratch," St. Laurent said. "We've got young soldiers who can't dress themselves."
St. Laurent looked around.
"It's an honor to work with these guys," he said softly, almost to himself.
Off to the side, a young soldier, one leg missing, the other a mangled mess, tried to negotiate a tight space in his wheelchair. He kept backing up, then moving forward, like his car was stuck in snow. He didn't curse, but it sure looked like he wanted to. He looked like he was 15.
Coming face to face with the cost of war, it is easy to get angry.
Angry that so many honorable men and women will never be the same.
Angry that almost everybody in the White House and Congress who put these soldiers in a position to lose a limb or a chunk of their minds never had any intention of allowing their own flesh and blood to shed a drop overseas.
But anger isn't the emotion you feel walking around Walter Reed. Humility is a better word.
If you are not a soldier, if you don't love or know a soldier, you will never in a million years understand this, but many of the soldiers here would give anything to get back to their units.
Many have given an arm and a leg and they'd give the other one to get back.
McDermott talks like it's only a matter of time.
We were sitting in the cafeteria, having lunch, and I pointed out that his trigger finger was missing.
"What would you shoot with?" I asked.
Sergeant Ceamus McDermott smiled.
And then he flashed his middle finger.
If you're Special Forces, you can shoot.
© Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
MAOT TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SENATE BILL 2043, AN ACT RELATIVE TO DRIVING IMPAIRMENT
The Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy, Inc. (MAOT), a volunteer organization of occupational therapy practitioners representing the profession of occupational therapy to the public throughout the commonwealth would like to record themselves in favor of Senate No. 2043, AN ACT RELATIVE TO DRIVING IMPAIRMENT.
MAOT recognizes that driving an automobile is the most widely used method of transportation. We also recognize the growing body of research correlating changes associated with aging, medications and medical conditions to increased driving risk.
We are in favor of Senate bill 2043 for several reasons. The American Medical Association (AMA) indicates motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of injury related deaths among 65-74 year olds and the second leading cause among 75-84 year olds (after falls).
Occupational therapy practitioners evaluate and provide intervention for clients with community mobility issues. This may include driving as well as the use of public transportation and taxicabs. Occupational therapists evaluate the client's ability to perform community mobility tasks safely and will advise the client to stop driving as a last resort when it becomes unsafe for the client or the public.
As a person grows older, they may have changes in vision, perception, cognition attention, memory and range of motion or strength. A person may also be on prescription medications that could affect their ability to safely drive. These changes may affect the persons' ability to recognize signs, remember where they are going or recall directions to a particular place. They may also have limitations in their ability to rotate their neck and control arm or leg motion precisely which can make it difficult to use car mirrors, manage the gas/brake pedals appropriately or scan the environment as they drive. Occupational therapists are trained to assess these areas and make recommendations to the client and their family regarding their ability to continue to drive safely.
An occupational therapist may provide many types of intervention. In the event of an acquired injury such as a stroke or amputation an occupational therapist may train the client to drive with adapted gas and brake pedals or an adapted steering wheel. Clients of all ages may benefit from an assessment for the correct seat height or mirror adjustment to decrease the risk of an accident.
Research from the Alzheimer's disease Research Center, Department of Neurology indicates that if a person is diagnosed with progressive dementia it is only a matter of time before retirement from driving becomes necessary. Typically within 12-18 months, it is likely that such an individual will fail a driving evaluation, even if they have previously had a passing score.
We at MAOT are in favor of a study to investigate driver impairment and methods to ensure safety to drivers, others on the road and pedestrians. We would like to see increasing methods of alternative transportation for those of whom driving is no longer an option. We would also like to see better education to consumers regarding driving evaluations and the role occupational therapists can play in keeping them and our roadways safe.
Although the Sate of Massachusetts is a voluntary reporting state for those that are unfit to drive, the issue of liability for the individual who is reporting in good faith must be addressed. The formation of a Commission to address all these issues is an excellent start and occupational therapy representation on it can bring much expertise to inform the work of the group.
Please give Senate No. 2043 your favorable consideration and a vote of support.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Dina Flannery, MS, OTR/L, CHT
President, MAOT
Read the text of the bill (Senate 2043)
...In the News
DRIVER IMPAIRMENT STUDY PUSHED BEFORE COMMITTEE
STATE CAPITOL BRIEFS – TUESDAY, OCT. 2, 2007
Advocates of increased involvement of medical professionals in advising the state who should and should not drive spoke in favor this afternoon of a bill establishing a study of driver impairment. The panel would look at impairment from cognitive, visual, motor, flexibility or other medical factors. The bill (S 2043) is geared toward public safety, and backed by occupational therapists. Proponents acknowledged that seniors valuing their independence are often wary of new controls on driving eligibility.
Interested in research?
Recruitment is ongoing for The Physical Activity in Children (PAC). This study is looking for children ages 7 through 11 with fair to poor motor coordination to participate in a research study about children’s motor coordination, physical activity, fitness, and attitudes toward physical activity. The purpose of the project is to gather information needed to develop programs to promote health and fitness in all children, including children with disabilities, and reduce the increasing rates of overweight in children. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health and being carried out at the E.K. Shriver Center in Waltham, MA The Principal Investigator on this study is Sharon Cermak, Ed. D, OTR/L, FAOTA, a Professor of Occupational Therapy at Boston University, Sargent College.
Occupational Therapists can contribute to this important study by sharing this information with families of children you know who have motor coordination difficulties. Children with average intelligence, including those with learning disabilities are eligible for this study. Families receive financial compensation for their participation. See the following link to the Shriver Center's recruitment page: http://www.umassmed.edu/shriver/recruit/pac.aspx.
For more information, please contact the Project Coordinator, Mr. Mario Munoz at marioamu@bu.edu; or 781-642-0272.
The Karen Jacobs and MAOT OTA Scholarships
The Karen Jacobs Scholarship - $500 for an OT student;
and
The MAOT OTA scholarship of $300.00 for an OTA student.
These two scholarships are available for a Massachusetts resident attending an accredited occupational therapy educational program at either the professional or associate degree level respectively.
The educational program can be within or outside the state of Massachusetts. The applicant may also be a non-Massachusetts resident who is attending an accredited occupational therapy educational program at the professional or associate degree level inside of Massachusetts. Applicants must be a member of the Massachusetts Association for Occupational Therapy (MAOT).
For more Information:
http://www.localstudentfunding.org/content/scholarship.php?r=aag&sid=78
or
Contact MAOT.
Rosie D. v. Romney
Rosie D. v. Romney is a class action lawsuit brought to compel Massachusetts to provide intensive home-based mental health services that will enable children with severe psychiatric disabilities to receive treatment and support in their homes and home communities. The plaintiffs include eight named children and a class of over 15,000 children throughout the Commonwealth with serious psychiatric and emotional disabilities.
Rosie D is NOT legislation; it is a federal court case. The below links will supply information about the case, the decision, implementation plans etc.
Massachusetts Association of Occupational Therapy
Executive Board Meeting
Thursday, February 21st, 2008
6:30 PM
Green Apartments/Fernald School
Agenda:
Attendance
Establish a Quorum
Called to Order
Approval of the Agenda
Approval of Minutes
Reports
Officers
President Report
Committees
- Member Recruitment and Retention
- Reimbursement and Regulatory Committee
- Policies, Procedures and Bi-Law Committee
- Legislative (Legislative Report; House Bill #599)
- Elections, Nominations, and Awards (Elections/Nominations)
- Conference Committee (Conference Update)
Unfinished Business
Update on regulations
Spring Conference
Board Insurance
New Business
Stress Balls for OT Month
Web page/advertising/news
Announcements
The next MAOT Board Meeting will be held on March 20, 2008.
Adjournment
Also:
See 2008 MAOT Strategic Plan
AOTA's Reimbursement briefing
Attached is the most recent update from AOTA's reimbursement department. This issue covers updates for July and August 2007 in all practice arenas.
Included in this attachment are National Policy updates, transmittal watches and an update of all the resources out there. Some hot topics you might find interesting are CCI Edit updates; CMS Open Door Meeting dates; a request for feedback on CARE Tool and a link to the scope of practice updates on www.aota.org.
I am very interested to hear from you all if this information has been helpful and how MAOT might be able to improve our service in regards to the reimbursement arena. Please feel free to drop a line to Melissa Tilton at mxtilton@rehabcare.com
Vol. 8, NO. 4
July / August 2007
Reimbursement and Regulatory Policy (RRP) rrpd@aota.org / 1-800-SAY- AOTA, ext. 2013
Chuck Willmarth Sharmila Sandhu Leslie Lloyd
Tara Alexander Judy Thomas Tali Schulman
CONTENTS
1. MEDICARE National Policy Update
***Federal Register Postings
2. CMS Transmittal Watch
***CMS Transmittals Postings
3. CMS Resources
***CMS Open Door Meeting Dates
***CCI Edits
***PAC Payment Reform Demonstration: Your Help and Feedback are needed.
***PQRI Educational Materials information available on CMS website
4. AOTA Reimbursement Resources
***Scope of Practice Report
Massachusetts State Government (Mass.Gov) OT-Related Links
OPEN DOOR FORUMS
Open Door Forums are offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and are a GREAT way to listen in on goings on in D.C. for NO cost to you. All you have to do is register by e-mail (procedure below) and they will send you e-mail notice of time, phone number and "code" so you can call up and listen, or participate, to/in appropriate discussion. My understanding is it takes about 2 weeks to get you "or their list" and allied forums will happen only a few times a year, so this is not a weekly time commitment. DO IT!
- Go to www.cms.hhs.gov
- Click on "OPEN DOOR FORUMS" in column on the left side of the screen
- This brings you to a description of the forums, you can then identify "Nursing and Allied Health" and click on that, which brings you to a more specific delineation of content area
- I believe it is this last screen which provides you with a link to "register for open door forums" which, if you click on that, gives you specific instructions to submit on line for that particular open door - allied health
- CMS then sends you notice, by e-mail, of the next forum for your content area. Whether you participate in the next forum or not, they keep sending you notices about upcoming ones until you "un-register"
Executive Board Members - Executive Board Meetings - By Laws - Strategic Plan
Affiliation Agreement - Advertising with Us - News & Events
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