Sara Sack, DirectorAssistive Technology for Kansans

Atlanta, GASeptember 15, 2009

New Evidence to Support Reuse (1/2)

Data from FREE Foundation, MEND, ParaQuad, and others showing:Greater independenceIncreased safety in home without premature

Nursing Home AdmittanceDecrease in falls, ER visits, and hospital stays$2.2 M in cost savings to Virginia communities

(2007)$724,888 cost savings in San Antonio (2008)

New Evidence to Support Reuse (2/2)

Medicaid Transformation Process (May, 2009)Reutilization identified as a “Best Practice”Kansas Reutilization program saved state $1.3 M

since 2004Kansas Reutilization program saved

approximately $2 for every $1 spentAT decreases overall support costs (Italian

study)Plus evidence that each of you have shared in

our meetings this week

Trends in AT Reutilization

Global issue (Data from US and EU)In the US calls and inquiries regarding

possible collaboration on reutilization of AT are coming from many sectors simultaneously

Interest is coming from high levels of management and program operation

Acceptance of the concept, and a “wish we had started yesterday” tone

Factors Contributing to Increased Interest in Reutilization (1/3)

EconomyStressed state budgetsConcern over rising healthcare costs

Aging populationBy 2010 1/3 of citizens in the European Union are

65-79 years oldIn Finland by 2010 50% of the population will be

over 65Increased need for technology and home

modifications

Factors Contributing to Increased Interest in Reutilization (2/3)

Focus on increased productivityFocus shifting from usability, adaptability to

being productive in community, employment, learning environments

Concern for environment and recycling in generalIncreased attention to e-wasteIn the Czech Republic, one of the newer EU

countries, 13 M SIM cards, 10.5 M people

Factors Contributing to Increased Interest in Reutilization (3/3)

Emergency Preparedness and Disaster ResponseUse of used equipment in shelter and as

replacement technologyInclusion of reutilization programs in state

emergency preparedness plans

Opportunities for Increased Collaboration (1/3)Sessions at this workshop and the focus on

lessons learned regarding program operation and expansion

Many more tools exist to help with starting and expanding reutilization programs

Programs are becoming much more skilled in determining which services they might offer to collaborators (tracking, inventory control, follow-up, customer satisfaction, equipment recovery and reassignment, etc.)

Opportunities for Increased Collaboration (2/3)PIOC materials are being developed to support

programs in reaching out to potential collaborators

PIOC staff can help programs approach and work with collaborators

In 2008 AT Act Programs from 10 states and 2 territories secured $629,227 from collaborative partners

Round table discussions about funding and collaborative partners

Opportunities for Increased Collaboration (3/3)

Looking in new directions for collaboratorsHealth and WellnessShort Term Rehabilitation CentersState Insurance Commission, Private InsuranceVocational RehabilitationAging (Departments and Organizations)Local government

Pitfalls and Perils? (1/3)

Work smart—let the data guide usCreate a balance between requests and

equipmentConduct targeted efforts to locate specific

equipmentKeep an eye on Return on Investment (ROI)

Pitfalls and Perils? (2/3)

Be careful—don’t over commit or commit to the wrong effortKnow how much it costs your program to

provide a serviceMake sure your collaborative partners goals

and mission are in sync with your program’s goals

Pitfalls and Perils? (3/3)Attend a full range of sessions at the

conference and learn from your peers—listen to their “lessons learned”Keep in contact with the folks you’ve met here

in AtlantaContact PIOC for assistance—they have a

wealth of information and are ready to help

Suggestion for the future?

Develop a range of collaborative partnerships across the areas of health care, senior services, and emergency management and include DME suppliers and consumers at every step of operation.

QUESTIONS?

ssack@ku.edu