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PrimeSource PodiaCare program provides on-site podiatric services at long-term care facilities. A licensed, PrimeSource-affiliated Podiatrist performs examinations as needed
to assess the overall condition of the residents’ feet. The Podiatrist will identify potential problems and, when medically necessary, treat the condition or
coordinate care with the attending physician.
Nail care is provided up to five times per year (based on necessity per Medicare guidelines).
When the Podiatrist recommends diabetic shoes, the primary care physician
is contacted for the authorization required by Medicare. Once authorized, a PrimeSource-affiliated Podiatrist/Pedorthist will measure the foot/feet. The Podiatrist/Pedorthist will deliver the shoes and inserts, and check for proper fit.
Podiatry Services
Referrals
Indications for Care
Foot Care Tips
Diabetes and Foot Problems
Diabetic Shoes from PrimeSource Healthcare
TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee
Warranty for Diabetic Shoes
30-Day, Money Back Guarantee
Podiatry News
Lower Extremity Disease Affects 18 Percent of Americans
Podiatry Services
- Preventative foot care.
- Debridement of mycotic and dystrophic toenails.
- Treatment of callouses, corns and ingrown toenails.
- Treatment of ulcerations, abscesses and subungual hematomas.
- Treatment of infection, deterioration of tissue.
- Preventative measures against loss of lower extremities.
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Referrals
When orthotic shoes are recommended, PrimeSource will write the referral.
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Indications for Care
Provided by the PrimeSource PodiaCare Team
- Diabetes Mellitus.
- Peripheral Vascular Disease.
- Peripheral Neurophathies of the feet.
- Arteriosclerotic Vascular Disease of lower extremities.
- Ulcer present or pre-ulcer.
- Anticoagulation therapy.
- Thick, fungal nails.
- Non-traumatic amputation of the foot or lower limb.
- Calluses and/or corns.
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Foot Care Tips
Follow these simple tips and you’ll be making great strides in maintaining foot health.
- Remember that foot pain isn’t normal and should never be ignored. Consult the PrimeSource Podiatrist about any pain that persists or reoccurs.
- Inspect your feet regularly, paying close attention to color changes, foot temperature and changes in the toenails, as well as cracks, cuts, peeling, scaling or any growths.
- Wash your feet daily, being sure to wash and dry
thoroughly between your toes.
- Toenails should be trimmed straight across...but not too short!
- Properly fitted shoes are important. Shop for
new shoes later in the day when feet are
at their largest.
- Wear moisture-absorbing socks.
- Don’t walk barefoot, as this increases your chances of injury or infection.
- Care for your feet by moisturizing them (but not in between the toes).
- Don’t attempt to treat ailments by yourself. See the PrimeSource Podiatrist to avoid turning a small problem into a big one!
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Diabetes and Foot Problems
The human foot has been called the mirror of health and Podiatrists are often the first doctors
to see signs of systemic conditions, particularly diabetes.
Diabetes is a serious disease that can develop from lack of insulin production in the body or due to the inability of the body’s insulin to perform its normal everyday functions. Insulin is a substance produced by the pancreas gland that helps process food and turn it into energy.
Foot problems are among the leading causes of hospitalization for the 16 million persons in the United States with diabetes mellitus. About 15% of all diabetics will develop a foot problem, which can potentially threaten their limb or even their life. The most common of these problems are infection, ulceration or gangrene.
The good news is that most of these problems can be prevented through regular visits with a PrimeSource Podiatrist, daily foot inspection and care, proper footwear and early treatment of any suspected trouble areas.
Ulcers or sores on the feet can be caused by improper shoes that can result in infection and possible amputations. Studies show that the well fitted diabetic shoes with moldable insoles reduce the development of these ulcers and sores.
What Causes Foot Problems in Diabetics?
Foot problems in persons with diabetes are usually the result of three primary factors: Neuropathy (diminished sensation), poor circulation and a decreased resistance
to infection.
- Neuropathy is a loss of sensitivity in the feet
to feel pain, heat and cold. Diabetics suffering from neuropathy can develop minor cuts, scrapes, blisters or pressure sores that they may not be aware of due to the insensitivity. If these minor injuries are left untreated, complications may result and lead to ulceration and possibly even amputation.
- Poor circulation (blood flow) contributes to diabetic foot problems by reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrition supplied to the skin and other tissue, causing injuries to heal poorly.
- Infections are often a problem in persons with diabetes, since they have difficulty fighting off bacteria that enter the skin from cuts or other wounds.
Risk of Amputation with Diabetes
People with diabetes are more likely to have a foot amputated than other people. The problem? Many people with diabetes have artery disease, which reduces blood flow to the feet. Also, many people with diabetes have nerve disease, which reduces sensation. Together, these problems make it easy to get ulcers and infections that may lead to amputation. Most amputations are preventable with regular care by the PrimeSource Podiatrist and proper footwear.
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Diabetic Shoes from PrimeSource Healthcare
- Diabetic shoes are available in 16 different styles in full widths and fittings from 4 to 14, including half sizes.
- Many styles are available in both velcro® close or lace/Velcro® close.
- Most shoes are available in black, brown, taupe, beige and white.
- Replaceable inserts are made of tri-laminated, 1/3 inch thick material called PROCELL.
- Diabetic shoes from PrimeSource Healthcare are covered by a 30-day, money back guarantee; a 90-day warranty; and may be subject to the TotalCare Replacement Guarantee (one year in Indiana and Ohio).*
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TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee for Diabetic Shoes
In the event a patient ’s diabetic shoes, dispensed through PrimeSource, are lost or for any reason no longer wearable within one year of the date they were first delivered to the patient, PrimeSource will provide unlimited replacements at no charge to the patient, the patient’s family, the applicable third party payor, or the facility.*
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Warranty for Diabetic Shoes
If diabetic shoes and/or inserts manufactured for PrimeSource Healthcare are found defective, please notify PrimeSource within 90 days of the delivery of the item. PrimeSource will repair or replace the diabetic shoes and/or inserts without charge to the patient, the patient’s family, the applicable third party payor or the facility.
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30-Day, Money Back Guarantee
PrimeSource Healthcare will issue a refund for diabetic shoes and inserts returned for any reason within 30 days from the delivery date. A full refund (100%) is issued for diabetic shoes and inserts returned in “like new condition”. A 10% restocking fee is assessed for diabetic shoes and inserts not returned in “like-new” condition.
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Lower Extremity Disease Affects 18 Percent of Americans
About 18 percent of adults aged 40 years and older either report or have been diagnosed with at least one lower extremity disease condition—peripheral arterial disease (PAD), peripheral neuropathy (PN), history of ulcer, current foot lesion or amputation — according to a November 2005 report from the Centers for Disease Control. Additionally, age-adjusted prevalence of lower extremity disease was from 1.5 to 1.8 times greater for those with diabetes among all age, sex, and ethnic subpopulations.
Of the adults with lower extremity disease (LED):
- About 5 percent had PAD; about two-thirds asymptomatic and one-quarter with severe PAD.
- Almost 13 percent had PN; three-quarters asymptomatic and one-quarter with severe PN.
- About 4 percent had a foot ulcer, current foot lesion or toe/foot amputation.
Prevalence of LED is higher among those patients with diabetes but also increases with age:
- Ages 60 to 74 years: 39.3 percent with diabetes vs. 24.1 percent without had LED.
- Ages 75 years and older: 44.4 percent with diabetes vs. 40.3 percent without had LED.
Overall prevalence of LED was greater among non-Hispanic blacks (27 percent) compared with Mexican-Americans (21.1 percent) and non-Hispanic whites (19.1 percent). The public health burden associated with lower extremity disease will likely increase as the population ages and the prevalence of diabetes increases. This data “should inform clinicians and researchers regarding the magnitude of LED to guide programs addressing prevention and treatment,” the CDC report concluded.
PrimeSource’s on-site Podiatry service is step in the right direction for preventing and treating LED. PrimeSource-affiliated Podiatrists and Technicians can identify potential problems and, when medically necessary, treat the condition or coordinate care with an attending physician.
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Career Opportunities • Frequently Asked Questions
*To be eligible for the TotalCare™ Replacement Guarantee, a person must reside in a facility contracted with PrimeSource for all four services and uses PrimeSource as its diabetic shoe vendor, consent to all four PrimeSource services and have had initial visits with each PrimeSource-affiliated Provider. TotalCare Guarantee benefits are terminated if a person no longer resides in a contracted facility. PrimeSource Healthcare may seek payment from Medicaid, other insurance or liability when appropriate.
The content of the PrimeSource Healthcare web site is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
PodiaCare and TotalCare are trademarks of PrimeSource Healthcare Systems, Inc.
©2006 PrimeSource Healthcare Systems, Inc. Information subject to revision.
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