[] SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU WRITE YOUR LETTER TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT:
The following thought-provoking questions will give you some ideas as to what to include in your letter to the U.S. Government:
How many times has a health professional told you that adhesions don't cause pain or problems?
How many times have you come across health professionals, who have never heard of adhesion barriers?
How many times have you come across health professionals, who are unwilling to use adhesion barriers?
Have you been affected by adhesions due to previous surgeries and then told they are not a problem?
Have you experienced a disease or illness requiring multiple surgeries?
Have you experienced a significant reduction in quality of life due to adhesions?
Have you experienced a lack of willingness by your physician to use adhesion barriers?
How many surgeries have you had to endure because of adhesions; and when (year) were these surgeries done?
What kind of surgical procedures have you had - a laparotomy (open abdominal) or a laparoscopy?
Did any surgery for adhesions cause complications for you: such as loss of abdominal/pelvic organs, inadvertant nicks by the surgeon into vital organs, or peritonitis?
Was an adhesion barrier - such as: Interceed, Seprafilm, or Intergel - used for any of these surgeries.
Did you experience any side effects because of the use of an adhesion barrier - such as inflammation, etc.?
If an adhesion barrier was used in any of your surgeries, did it help? Or did your adhesion problems become worse?
If an adhesion barrier was used in any of your surgeries, are you still pain-free today?
~ ~ ~ ~
* Email your comments to: IPPSNEWTECH@CMS.HHS.GOV
* Please send a copy to the IAS at: david.wiseman@adhesions.org
* Place "Adhesion Barrier Comments" in the subject line.
* Send your comments by January 8, 2002