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, in 2019, 1.9 million people are living with limb loss in the United States, with an average of 507 people losing a limb every day. This results in an estimated 185,000 amputations per year, and this number is expected to double by the year 2050 due to increasing rates of diabetes and vascular disease. Among those living with limb loss, the major causes of their amputations are vascular disease (including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease), trauma, and cancer. The most common causes of pediatric amputations, however, are lawn mower accidents. Non‐whites comprise about 42% of the limb loss population in the U.S. Non‐whites comprise about 42% of the limb loss population in the U.S. In 2008, the diabetes-related amputation rate among African Americans was nearly four times that of whites. 

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.