Re: Please Advise!/Debbie Mayo Clinic

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie,

I was familiar that the Mayo Clinic had their own custom band, but

wasn't aware they were now offering the Starband! I'll need to

update our Helmet/Band Database to reflect that. Do you know if

they've totally discontinued their own band and gone totally to the

Starband?

There is nothing wrong with the Starband brand, which is an active,

FDA approved band. The Starband is made by Orthomerica, and

Orthomerica has a business model that is shared by other brands of

bands and helmets in the industry (Cranial Tech has a totally

different business model, however.) In their business model,

Orthomerica manufactures the bands, and fills orders placed by

orthos at their own facilities who order their product to treat

babies in their own specific facilities. This business model does

not require that the ortho have specialized training in treating

with the Starband or cranial orthoses, except what they learned in

obtaining their degree. Because there is no total guarantee of

Starband/cranial orthoses experience and training with this business

model, it's best to follow Orthomerica's own advice from their

website and thoroughly interview any potential ortho. Here are some

links to questions for the ortho that can help you determine if an

ortho has the experience, training, and talent that you will be

comfortable with:

Orthomerica's Questions for Parents to Ask a Prospective Orthotist

Feel free to print out this list of questions and refer to them

during your initial consultation with the orthotist. Establishing

and maintaining open lines of communication will enhance yours and

your child's experience with a cranial remolding orthosis.

http://www.orthomerica.com/products/cranial/cranial_questions.htm

Cranial Tech's Questions to Ask the Doctor or Orthotist:

The quality of treatment available varies widely for children with

plagiocephaly. One way to avoid pitfalls is to be aware of them.

Print this page and use it for your research.

http://www.cranialtech.com/Treatment/selecting.html

Questions To Ask The Doctor and Orthotist/Clinician

Once an official diagnosis is made and a course of treatment is

planned, many children are referred to an Orthotist or Treatment

Facility in order to obtain cranial orthosis. Here is a list of

questions to ask the Orthotist/Clinician.

http://www.cappskids.org/QuestionsForTheDoctorAndOrthotist.htm

Questions for the Doctor

It is important to ask any questions that concern you. WRITE DOWN

the questions you want to ask, and take a pen (or a mini tape

recorder) with you so you can write down the answers given. Here are

some suggested questions for you doctor and/or orthotist. Please

feel free to print this page...

http://www.plagiocephaly.org/support/questions.htm

Also, Orthomerica does offer voluntary training for the Starband to

orthos who avail themselves of the opportunity. Since the Mayo

Clinic has recently changed to the Starband, you may want to ask if

any of the orthos has attended a training seminar like the one cited

below from the Orthomerica website:

STARband™ Cranial Remolding Orthosis Seminar

Pediatric treatment of positional plagiocephaly for infants between

the ages of 4-18 months.

Topics to be covered: Review of Cranial Anatomy; Historical Overview

of Cranial Remolding Procedures; Abnormal Head Shape;

Craniosynostosis and Surgical Considerations; Definitions;

Indications and Contraindications; Treating Torticollis; Patient

Evaluation Process; Casting Procedure; Modification of the Positive

Mold; Fitting and Follow-Up; Patient Profiles; Literature Review;

Documentation and Quantification of Outcomes; Billing, Reimbursement

and Provider Information; Clinician Evaluation; Competency

Examination; Question and Answer Session.

8-hour, 4-hour, 2-hour and 1-hour seminars

http://www.orthomerica.com/education/star_sem.htm

The one group member who did go to the Mayo Clinic was extremely

pleased with the level of care and correction obtained for her baby

there. This was with their own custom helmet a while back. The mom

listed her email address in our Helmet/Band Database if any other

parents wanted to get some feedback on her experience there. Why

don't you send her an email? it's zim34 @ msn.com (remove spaces

before and after the " @ " )

Hopefully getting some more information from the orthos, etc. at the

Mayo Clinic will help you get a clearer picture of how you feel

about treatment there.

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

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