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VascuTherm FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1How much do I have to wear this?
Frequency of use is determined by your physician. Your Right Coast Medical representative should relay to you what your physician has prescribed.
2The wraps are all puffed up when I turn it off, is that okay? How do I get the air out?
It is normal for the wrap to be puffy after you shut the machine off. To let the air out locate the gray hose at the wrap. Push down the white tab and pull the two apart. Squeeze the wrap gently to release the air. Ensure that you reconnect the connector.
3Do I have to use all the wraps at once?
If you are prescribed DVT wraps and a cold therapy wrap you must wear all wraps at the same time unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
4Do I have to wear these calf wraps?
If you were given calf wraps it is because your physician prescribed them to you. You must wear them as the physician prescribed until otherwise instructed.
5Am I going to have to pay for this?
Depending on your insurance you may or may not have an out of pocket cost. Your Right Coast representative should go over potential cost with you before dropping off the machine.
6Why isn’t it as cold as ice?
It isn’t as cold as putting an ice pack on your shoulder because we are regulated to withhold a certain temperature per your physicians prescription.
7How does it stay the same temperature?
Our machine uses thermoelectric chips to precisely cool the solution and provide a constant therapeutic temperature.
8Why 49 degrees?
The temperature setting is determined by your physician, if you feel that you would like it to be colder you must discuss with your physician. If they choose to let you use the unit at a different temperature than what was originally prescribed your Right Coast representative must be notified to come out and alter the settings.
9Will you bring me more fluid if I run out?
We would be happy to help you if we can. Please reach out to your Right Coast representative to discuss next steps with them.
10How much does one of these cost? I’d like to buy one?
We are happy that you enjoy the unit, unfortunately we do not sell our machines.
11How do I turn the compression off?
If the compression is hurting or irritating please contact your Right Coast representative for assistance. All setting alterations must be approved by your physician.
12How do I lower the temperature?
The temperature setting is determined by your physician, if you feel that you would like it to be colder you must discuss with your physician. If they choose to let you use the unit at a different temperature than what was originally prescribed your Right Coast representative must be notified to come out and alter the settings.
Billing
Right Coast Medical has contracted with your physician to provide mechanical DVT prophylaxis and/or other medical equipment to aid in the prevention of blood clots by helping stimulate normal blood flow to the lower limbs during periods of immobility before and after surgery.
Following your surgery, RCM will bill your insurance provider for the use of these products. You will be receiving an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance provider in the coming weeks which will detail how your insurance company processed our claim.
It is important to note that an EOB is not a bill.
If you have any questions regarding your EOB or our billing policies, please email RCM at the address below. Do not contact your physician with questions related to our billing.
VascuTherm Videos
sam® FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1What is the difference between sam® & TENs or EStim?
The short answer is “research”! Numerous high level double-blind clinical trials show, sam® in safe and effective. The research on TENs and EStim is inconclusive! This is why payers will not reimburse for the use of TENs. Secondarily, the mechanism of action is completely different. sam®, treats the source of the pain by accelerating Collagen Lay-down which helps to re-align and repair any adhesion (tear) in
the Muscles, Tendons, or Ligaments. In addition, sam® promotes accelerated Angiogenesis effect for new blood vessel development and provides improved multi-hour blood flow. Essentially, sam® "supercharges” the body’s natural
healing process, which restores function faster. TENs and EStim are pain blockers. They “mask or block” the pain signal to the brain. They function much like an electronic aspirin. They DO NOT heal or treat the source of the pain (tissue), they temporarily block the pain while in use.
2How long does the battery last before it must be re-charged?
The battery on the sam® unit lasts up to 6 hours, then needs a recharged. Re-charge time is typically 1.5-hours. You can charge the unit while you are wearing it.
3How many days before the I will notice a pain reduction or increased range of motion?
Patients will typically notice a reduction in Chronic Pain and increased Range of Motion after the first 5 treatment days.
4Do you feel anything when treating with sam®?
sam® uses high frequency sound waves to heal injured or damaged tissue; they do not feel anything except for a warming sensation after 15 – 20 minutes.
5Can patients move around while wearing sam®?
Yes, this is a key benefit of sam® Sport that the patient can wear the device while moving and can treat at home or back at work.
6What are the Contraindications of sam®?
Do not put sam® applicators on the Brain, Eyeball, Directly on the Spine, Directly on a Tumor, or Directly over a Pacemaker.
7Can patients with a Pacemaker use sam®?
Yes, if they do not directly place the Applicator directly over the Pacemaker.
8Can patients with metal implants use sam®?
Physicians use sam® on patients with implants at very low power (only 0.65 Watts).
9What is the primary difference between sam® and conventional Ultrasound?
Conventional Ultrasound is typically applied for 5-7 minutes and only delivers 1,500 Joules of Energy to the Injured Tissue (little therapeutic benefit); sam® is applied for 4-hours and delivers 18,500 Joules of Energy to accelerate the healing of injured tissue.
10What are the Primary Mechanisms of Action (MOA) to heal the injured tissue and pain?
The primary Mechanisms of Action for sam® is it accelerates Collagen Lay-down which help to re-align and repair any adhesion (tear) in the Muscles, Tendons, or Ligaments. In addition, sam® promotes accelerated Angiogenesis effect for new blood vessel development and provides improved multi-hour blood flow.
11Are there any safety features built-in to the sam® unit?
The sam® Applicators (Transducers) have a built-in Thermocouple to monitor the temperature of the Applicator. If it becomes too warm, the Applicator which displays a “blue” light with turn “red” (Vibrates for 1-second); the unit will automatically cool-down and then automatically turn back to “blue” or normal operation.
12Can sam® be used for Stress Fractures, Fractures, or Contusions?
Yes, sam® is very effect for Bone Growth and a Peer Reviewed Medical Publication Internal Medicine Review (December 2016) shows that sam® is 4.4x more effective than the Exogen Bone Growth stimulator.
13Are there any Medical Publications or Studies on sam®?
Yes, there are seven Independent Peer Reviewed Medical Publications on sam®; I will email them to you upon request. Many of the Clinical Studies were funded by the NIH (National Institutes of Health), Department of Defense, and NASA.