ORA Orthopedics Restructures Physical Therapy Services to Better Serve Patients
Effective October 1, 2022, ORA Physical Therapy will transition its physical and occupational hand therapy programs in-house to allow the practice to expand therapy services into a more fully and tightly integrated service within ORA Orthopedics.
In the past, ORA Orthopedics has contracted with Rock Valley Physical Therapy to provide PT services at its clinics. However, in an effort to improve patient care and create stronger coordination and synergy between the physician and the therapist, ORA is transitioning to directly integrate therapy within its practice. ORA, as it has done so for more than a half-century, remains committed to its focus on providing the gold standard of orthopedic care, including physical therapy for patients in the Quad Cities region.
ORA’s goal is to develop a model of care unique to the Quad Cities. As the national health care landscape continues to change, patients should continue to expect and deserve the highest level of convenient, cost-effective, and collaborative care.
From diagnosis to rehabilitation, ORA is better able to serve its patients entirely within practice walls: by coordinating doctor and PT visits, reducing travel to multiple locations, streamlining costs, and by providing an on-site physician/PT team that works together for better patient results.
We envision a coordinated and integrated team approach to orthopedic care and rehab (physician, therapist and patient) that achieves the “right amount” and type of care for each individual rather than the fragmented care model that leads to poor outcomes and increased costs.
ORA’s uniquely integrated approach results in a stronger, collegial atmosphere between the physician and physical therapist that, in turn, improves communication and allows the physical therapist to consult with an ORA physician on-site. Discussions are in real time, face-to-face. The care team is more responsive on items of immediate concern as well as discussing what works to ensure optimal patient outcome and the quick return to work or sport.
The delivery and financing of healthcare is changing. ORA’s new model will include bundled payments for a complete episode of care. The full episode of care – from physician clinic visits to surgery including the surgeon, the facility and anesthesia, to physical therapy – will have one set bundled transparent price. This bundled price model requires a higher level of integration. As healthcare evolves, it becomes necessary for ORA to evolve as well – which includes the integration of physical therapy.
Currently, ORA is hiring PTs who will staff our on-site PT clinics in Bettendorf, Davenport, and Moline locations. These clinics feature state-of-the-art therapy facilities, such as therapy pools, to ensure that therapists and patients alike have the resources and equipment they need to get the patient back to the activities they enjoy.
Throughout this transition and thereafter, we will have dedicated therapy coordinators within our clinics who will work directly with our surgical scheduling staff to ensure patients are scheduled for physical therapy post-surgical. Having our physical therapy in-house allows us to develop these types of integrated models that enhance communication and streamline therapy scheduling for our patients.
We welcome and encourage all physical therapists who have an interest in outpatient orthopedic physical and occupational therapy to join our team. We are looking for therapists interested in developing a model of care focused on coordinated professionals (physicians and therapists) synergistically helping the patient to achieve optimal outcomes.
At ORA Physical Therapy, we believe in working in partnership with our patients to develop the best rehab program possible. Our team of therapists will collaborate closely with our physicians to deliver unprecedented therapy to our patients. We are unique because we offer a continuum of orthopedic care under one roof. The relationship between our physicians and therapists will be even stronger, which will positively impact patient outcomes with a quicker return to life, work, and the activities patients enjoy most.
