SIGVARIS Acknowledges 11 Newly Certified SIGVARIS Compression Therapy Fitters in the Seattle Area

Dec. 8, 2008 - PRLog -- Bellevue, WA – Eleven compression therapy fitters, durable medical equipment retailers and medical professionals came together on November 19, 2008 at a SIGVARIS fitter seminar held at the Sheraton Bellevue Hotel in Bellevue, WA to become certified SIGVARIS fitters and to advance their knowledge of using compression therapy for the treatment of venous disease.

Compression therapy stockings and socks are often used to prevent or treat venous conditions such as spider veins, varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency [CVI], deep-vein thrombosis [DVT] and venous ulcers.

However, proper fit makes all the difference in successful compression therapy treatment. An article in the September 2008 American Journal of Nursing discusses the need for correct usage and size of graduated compression stockings used with hospitalized post-operative patients. The article states, “Graduated compression stockings, when used correctly, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of deep-vein thrombosis in surgical patients, but they can be harmful to skin and may even increase the risk of thrombosis if the wrong size is used.”  Source: EH Winslow and DL Brosz; American Journal of Nursing (September 1, 2008: 108(9): 40-50).

SIGVARIS fitter seminars are designed to provide the fitter of medical compression stockings with the needed medical knowledge to safely measure, fit and select the appropriate product for patients with veno-lymphatic disorders.  The seminar covered the following topics: Circulatory Anatomy and Physiology, Venous and Lymphatic Disorders, SIGVARIS Product Overview, Measuring and Fitting Workshop, and Physician Prescriptions.

Participants learned how to:
•   Understand the venous system and related conditions
•   Correctly use SIGVARIS medical compression stockings in the treatment of venous disorders
•   Match the correct SIGVARIS product to the patient’s needs and preference based on the physician’s prescription
•   Understand the measuring and fitting of SIGVARIS products

During the seminar, the following people demonstrated superior knowledge of compression therapy and are now recognized by SIGVARIS as fully qualified to measure and apply SIGVARIS graduated compression medical stockings as a SIGVARIS Certified Fitter in the Washington area:
•   Sarah Dunton, Cornerstone Orthotics, Edmonds, WA, 425-776-1247
•   Kristina Brennan, Holland Homecare, Bellingham, WA, 360-734-4826
•   Deanna Trevino, Dynamic Bracing & PT, Spokane, WA, 509-325-9144
•   Lucas Holm, Valley Orthopedic, Puyallup, WA, 253-848-2888
•   Chuck Martin, CPED, Barnhart Prosthetic & Orthopedic, Springfield, OR, 541-485-5929
•   Victoria Adolphson, Hoagland Pharmacy, Bellingham, WA, 360-734-5413
•   Martha Hutchings, Hoagland Pharmacy, Bellingham, WA, 360-734-5413
•   Sally Munn, PT, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, WA, 206-320-2492
•   Katie Maynard, Holland Drug, Sedro Woolley, WA, (360) 855-0251
•   Sara Richter, Holland Drug, Sedro Woolley, WA, (360) 855-0251
•   Andrea Shelton, Martin Medical, Bellevue, WA, 425-462-5334

The fitter seminar was facilitated by Judith Brannan, US Education Manager for SIGVARIS.  With over 18 years experience as an education manager for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, she has developed and implemented numerous accredited educational programs for physicians, sonographers and nurses as well as sales training programs for sales representatives, dealers and distributors.

SIGVARIS sponsors certified fitter seminars and other events with leading medical associations as part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our customers, and to continually serve as the global leader in medical compression stockings used for the treatment of venous disease.

Participants in SIGVARIS certified fitter seminars must be pre-registered, as the seminars are accredited for continuing education by The American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics - ABC (8 PCEs) and The Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification - BOC (7 CPEs). For more information, please contact sigvariscares@sigvaris.com or call 1-800-322-4477.

A list of SIGVARIS certified retailers is available at http://www.sigvarisusa.com.

About SIGVARIS

SIGVARIS® North America is part of an internationally active medical device group headquartered in Winterthur, Switzerland that focuses on the development, production and distribution of medical compression garments, including hosiery and socks. With distribution in more than 50 countries on six continents, SIGVARIS is recognized as a global industry leader in the area of compression therapy for the management of venous and lymphatic disorders. For more information, please visit www.sigvarisusa.com. SIGVARIS, LIFE FOR LEGS and the leg icon are registered trademarks of Ganzoni & Cie AG, St.Gallen/Switzerland and in many countries worldwide.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa Wells
SIGVARIS Marketing, North America
Email: lisa.wells@sigvaris.com
Phone: 770- 632-2962

Keywords: SIGVARIS, fitter seminar, certified fitter, compression therapy, venous disease, continuing education, health education, American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, The Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification, deep vein thrombosis, graduated compression stockings, compression stockings, compression hosiery, support hose, spider veins, varicose veins

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SIGVARIS® develops medical compression hosiery and socks, and is a global leader in compression therapy products that treat venous and lymphatic disorders like varicose veins, chronic vein insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis. www.sigvarisusa.com