Home → VA Prosthetics → VA Handbook 1173.2 - Furnishing Prosthetic Appliances and Services → VA Restoration Clinics
2.7. VA Restoration Clinics
a. Scope
(1) Restoration Clinics will be used as a primary fabrication source for VA beneficiaries and will be utilized to the fullest extent possible.
(2) Restoration Clinics will be assigned organizationally to the Chief, Prosthetic Service.
(3) In field facilities having established VA Restoration Clinics, the facility Director will conduct an annual evaluation to ensure that the clinic is being properly utilized to its full capacity; that the quality of appliances fabricated is completely satisfactory and is at least equal to the best available from local commercial facilities; that the needs of patients are being fully met; that the clinic is operating as efficiently and economically as possible; and that current staffing is proper for the amount of work being done. The Chief Consultant, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service SHG, will assist in such evaluation by providing comparative statistical analyses of all VA Restoration Clinics in operation with specific recommendations when requested.
(4) Custom made artificial eyes, facial and body restorations, cosmetic partial hands and similar appliances may be procured from commercial sources if the quality of the appliance is satisfactory, the time required for delivery is not excessive, and prices charged for such appliances are reasonable.
(5) Cosmetic gloves for partial hand amputees may be fabricated by the Restoration Clinic located in New York if commercially available sources are not adequate. Such appliances will be made available to any VA facility upon receipt of a properly prepared VA Form 10-2529-3.
(6) VA Restoration Clinics have been established at selected VA facilities (see App. D).
b. Responsibility
(1) The Chief Consultant, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service SHG, is responsible for:
(a) The formulation of policies, standards, and scope of VA Restoration Clinic activities, including, but not limited to, providing training and technical assistance to the clinics, participating in the development and recommendation of space, equipment, and funds to be provided, and recommending proper staffing levels.
(b) Directing the use of standardized materials and techniques if required for efficient operation and/or uniformity of services to patients.
(2) The facility Director in which a VA Restoration Clinic is located is responsible for ensuring that other VA facilities requesting services from the clinic are accorded fair and equitable priorities and that the requirements of any one facility (including the Director's own) do not take precedence over any other. NOTE: The Director is responsible to the same degree for successful operation of this activity as for the conduct of other activities that solely benefit the Director's own facility.
(3) The Chief, Prosthetic Service, must ensure that the quality of the appliances fabricated is satisfactory to patients and prescribing physicians, the time required for delivery is not excessive or will not result in prolonged hospital stay for patients, and the prices charged for such appliances are reasonable.
(4) The Supervisor of the Restoration Clinic is responsible to the Prosthetic representative for the efficient and economical administration and operation of the clinic in accordance with established policies, standards, and procedures.
c. Procedure
(1) Restoration Clinics custom make artificial eyes, facial and body restorations, cosmetic partial hands, ear inserts and similar appliances for eligible VA beneficiaries on receipt of clinical notes and VA Form 10-2529-3, from all VA facilities. For referrals, VA Form 10-10EZ, Application for Medical Benefits, is also required.
(2) Restoration Clinics may participate in clinical evaluation studies of new materials and techniques initiated by the Chief Consultant, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service SHG.
(3) Restoration Clinics will fabricate or repair special appliances in possession of their own eligible VA beneficiaries, and for beneficiaries of other field facilities, provided such work can be done with existing staff and without detriment to direct patient services.
