Target Audience

DMU faculty, staff, students, residents, and the medical community.

Description

Interdisciplinary grand rounds are crucial in healthcare because they bring together professionals from various specialties to discuss complex cases, share insights, and enhance patient care. By involving diverse perspectives, these rounds ensure a holistic approach to patient management, where all aspects of a patient’s condition and treatment options are considered. This collaborative setting promotes effective communication across departments, leading to more coordinated care, fewer errors, and better patient outcomes. The multidisciplinary nature of these rounds supports more informed decision-making, especially for complex cases that require input from multiple specialties. By focusing on patient-centered care, these rounds ensure that the care plan aligns with the patient’s values, preferences, and overall well-being.

Educational Need

According to the Amputee Coalition’s September 2024 update, there are over 5.6 million people currently living with limb loss or limb differences in the United States. Of that, nearly 2.3 million people are living with limb loss. On average, each year, over 500,000 Americans experience limb loss or are born with a limb difference. 

Among those living with limb loss, the major causes of their amputations are diabetes (57%) and vascular disease (40%). Nearly 200,000 people with limb loss experience an infection before their amputation each year. Lower limb amputations (83%) occur more frequently than upper limb amputations (17%), with toe amputations being the most common procedure. Amputations occur more frequently in older adults, with 65 and older making up nearly 45% of the limb loss population, followed by those ages 45-64 making up almost 42%. 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify medical conditions that may result in lower extremity amputation.
2. Recognize key factors in the evaluation of a patient before amputation.
3. Identify basic components of the surgical procedure.
4. Discuss risks and patient concerns related to lower extremity amputation.
5. Identify the role of a physical therapist in a multi-disciplinary team caring for a patient with limb loss.
6. Identify three areas of physical therapy intervention when working with a patient with limb loss.

Speakers

Claire Danielson, PT, DPT
Pediatric Physical Therapy, UnityPoint Health

Ashley Dikis, DPM, FACFAS, DABPM
Clinical Department Chair, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Kelly George
Limb Loss Survivor
 

Session proposals are now being accepted for the DMU Grand Rounds series! Have you encountered an interesting clinical case, seen a patient with a unique history, condition, and/or treatment protocol, or been involved with interprofessional management that improves patient care and treatment outcomes? If so, you're invited to help build the series by submitting a session proposal! In addition to the rare and unique, cases of more common conditions are also acceptable, and proposals from external members of the broader healthcare community are welcomed and encouraged. Please click the button below to learn more about the series and access the submission form.