The way in which O&P provision takes place varies greatly world-wide and depends on the facilities available in individual countries. This can be seen particularly in the quality of patient care. To make comprehensive provision possible and to strengthen world-wide health systems, last year the World Health Organisation (WHO) published its WHO Standards for Prosthetics and Orthotics. These will be presented on the first day of OTWorld in a symposium at the World Congress.

The WHO Standards formulate recommendations for integrating provision of prosthetics and orthotics at every level of healthcare. Their aim is to make O&P provision effective and efficient. Among the provisions in the Standards is information on guidelines for financing and an overview of the complexity of prosthetic and orthotic products. However, they also indicate the different occupations involved in patient care, the knowledge which such carers need, and the various aspects of their joint work. A further chapter is devoted to the possible provision of O&P.

As an aid to putting the Standards into practice, the WHO has published a Handbook on their implementation, which aims to support countries in building up services in the orthopaedic and O&P sector which will be both of high quality and affordable.

ISPO amputation guidelines

At the same symposium the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) will be presenting guidelines on amputation of the lower extremities. Drawn up by the ISPO International Consensus Group, consisting of medical practitioners, orthopaedic technicians and therapists, they set out rules for patient care following amputations due to vascular disease. They consider the procedure to be followed when prescribing prosthetic treatment, from the material to the rehab training. Which technical components are essential, when is a hydraulic knee joint appropriate, when will you attain a better gait efficiency? The Guidelines supply answers to these and other questions.

Quality on the German model

Publication only took place recently of the “Quality Standards in the Prosthetic Treatment of the Lower Extremity” of the German Society for Interprofessional O&P Provision (DGIHV – Deutsche Gesellschaft für interprofessionelle Hilfsmittelversorgung e.V.), which had been drawn up by an expert commission. Extracts will be presented in the international context. More detailed explanations will follow in a further symposium on the OTWorld Thursday. Along with an introductory talk on systematics and the structure of the Standards, the speakers will consider prosthetic treatment of the extremity sections foot, lower thigh, upper thigh and exarticulations, using selected examples. They will bring everyday scenarios to bear on the individual provision levels and explain them with reference to the Standards.

These Quality Standards have been drawn up over a number of years by experts in medicine and orthopaedics, to ensure quality-based and sustainable prosthesis provision. Along with the requisite steps and general conditions, the Standards set out recommendations for each amputation situation.

Further information

The symposium on “International standards for prosthetics and orthotics”, to be chaired by Professor Friedbert Kohler, President of the ISPO, will be held from 11.00 a.m. to 12.15 midday on 15 May 2018 in the Open Forum.

The detailed presentation of the “Quality standards in prosthetic fittings for lower limbs” will take place under the chairmanship of Michael Schäfer of Pohlig GmbH and PD Dr. Lutz Brückner, from 1.30 to 11.45 a.m. on 17 May in Room 1.

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