FES – Functional Electrical Stimulation units offer similar benefits to NMES. When comparing NMES vs FES, FES therapy specifically aids in neurological rehabilitation as the stimulation is automatically controlled to turn muscle contractions into functional movements.

A FES electric therapy machine device generates body movements for those who may be paralyzed due to Central Nervous System complications.

It is important to carefully examine the exact functionality of a unit you intend to buy, ensuring it fits with your healthcare setting’s care plan – not all CES devices are created equal!

​

How many waveforms for electrical stimulation devices?

Electrical stimulation therapy machines have various waveforms that affect different aspects of the body and musculature. Therefore, having a CES device that features multiple waveforms and intensity levels is essential to fully addressing the needs of your healthcare setting. When seeking out the best electrical stimulator, make sure that the device has at least the following waveforms:

Medium Frequency: Interferential current and/or premodulation – used to address pain

Asymmetrical Biphasic: TENS/NMES – used for stimulation of the nerve fibers and muscles

Symmetrical Waveform: VMS – used for muscle strengthening

Monophasic Waveform: High-voltage pulsed current and microcurrent – used to increase circulation in the tissue

Electrical Stimulation Devices FAQ:

What are the different types of electrical stimulation units?

The different types of  electrostimulation devices include TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation), NMES (Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation) and FES (Functional Electrical Stimulation). 

How do you use an electrical stimulation machine for patient therapy?

A clinical electrical stimulation (CES) device converts electricity into a specific waveform for therapeutic delivery. These distinct currents encourage muscle contraction that leads to strengthening, pain reduction, and a vital increase in blood circulation.

What are the different electrical stimulation waveforms?

There are four different types of electrical stimulation waveforms: medium frequency, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and monophasic.

What else should I ask when choosing the best electrical stimulation device?

Once you have a broad idea of the best electrical stimulation unit for your healthcare setting, the next step is to gain as much information as you can to ensure the device integrates seamlessly into your healthcare setting. If you plan on purchasing a CES device from Direct Supply, contact us for specific answers to these questions and more:

• What waveforms does the device have in it?

• Can you use multiple waveforms at the same time?

• Who will teach my therapist how to use the device?

• What is the warranty on the device?

• Who do my therapists call with questions?

• Can my therapist try the device for a couple of weeks to see how it fits their practice?

• Can you provide references of other facilities using your device?

What is a respirator fit test?

A respirator fit test tests the seal between the respirator’s facepiece and your face.  Respiratory protection fit testing can be performed to ensure tight fitting respirators and proper protection.

A person must perform a fit test with any respirator they will wear before initial use. It should only be performed after obtaining medical clearance. (Note: Someone with facial hair may not be able to achieve an adequate seal.) Then, they should perform a fit test at least annually or when any significant changes occur, such as weight gain or loss, facial surgery, or dental surgery. Perform a fit test with the same make, model, style and size of respirator that the person will wear when working.

If the make, model, style or size of respirator is changed, a new fit test should be performed.  Additionally, if there are concerns about the fit based on the test, continue to test for a good seal with different respirator models, styles or sizes until an acceptable fit is identified. Document the results of your test.

Important: Respirator fit tests are not the same as user seal checks. That’s because a user seal check is a quick check performed by the wearer each time the respirator is put on to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face or needs to be readjusted.

What’s the difference between qualitative vs quantitative fit test?

There are two types of respirator fit testing – a quantitative or qualitative respirator fit test. Qualitative tests are what OSHA recommends for healthcare environments. This pass/fail test uses sense of taste or smell in order to detect leakage in the respirator face piece. There are 4 types of approved qualitative tests:

• Saccharin (sweet)
• Bitrex (bitter)
• Isoamyl acetate (bananas)
• Irritant smoke (produces coughing)

When does testing need to be done?

OSHA requires respirator fit testing to be completed upon initial implementation of a Respiratory Protection Program and then once a year after that. OSHA has temporarily paused the need to do annual testing.  

Is a fit test required for a N95 respirator?

Yes. Per OSHA guidance, if respirators are required, all tight-fitting, disposable and reusable respirators/masks should be fit tested. This includes N95 and surgical N95 respirators, which are common in Long Term Care. Other reusable and disposable respirators that should be fit tested include:

• N99
• N100
• R95
• P95
• P99
• P100

Any healthcare professional wearing reusable or disposable respirators should know how to perform respirator fit tests to properly wear respirators for optimal occupational safety.

Does the respirator fit test kit I use need to be made from the same manufacturer as my N95?

No. The brand does not matter when conducting reusable or disposable respirator fit testing. Any qualitative fit test kit should work with any brand of N95 respirator.

How long will a respirator fit test kit last?

Most sensitivity and test solutions for fit testing have a 3- to 5-year shelf life, if unopened. Once the ampules are opened, most need to be used within 4 hours.

Does Direct Supply offer respirator fit test kits?

Yes! These two kits offer an OSHA compliant qualitative fit test for disposable and reusable respirators. New disposable glass ampules make pouring solution into nebulizers easier and reduce the chance of contamination. Each kit includes a test hood, sensitivity nebulizer, test nebulizer, 6 ampules of sensitivity solution and 6 ampules of test solution. Learn about the reusable and disposable respirator fit testing options below. 

Each kit has enough solution (both sensitivity and test) to test 18 to 30 people (3 to 5 people per ampule of solution)  Additional sensitivity and test solution can be purchased separate from the test kits.  You can also find additional respirator fit test solution and an instructional video on how to perform the Allegro qualitative fit test.

What do I do if my staff aren’t passing their respirator fit tests?

Find out how many staff members are having trouble getting a good seal or knowing how to perform a respirator fit test. Not every respirator is going to work on every individual’s face size and shape. So ask if they’ve tried other models, styles and sizes. OSHA requires employers to offer different makes, models, shapes and sizes of respirators to employees until they find one that will fit. If you can’t find any that fit certain staff members, consider assigning those staff to non-COVID  areas.

What’s the difference between an N95 and a surgical N95?

A surgical N95 is NIOSH-approved and also cleared by the FDA for use as a surgical mask. It’s recommended if the wearer will be exposed to liquids like sprays and splashes from things like suctioning and nebulizer treatments.

Does OSHA require respirator fit testing for KN95 respirators?

No. OSHA doesn’t currently require a respirator fit test of KN95s. These have the equivalent filtration capability to N95s, but normally come with ear loops rather than head straps. Some newer KN95s exist which have head straps. If you choose to fit test KN95s, review the most recent OSHA guidance with your legal team and keep it handy for reference.

Can I use an N95 that isn’t FDA approved?

Probably, if the N95 is NIOSH certified. For the duration of the public health emergency, the FDA has issued an EUA that allows healthcare workers to use NIOSH-approved respirators. You should make sure you are following any state or local guidelines, as well as the CDC’s guidance for conventional, contingency and crisis strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators.

Additional Resources:

• OSHA Respiratory Guidance for Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living
• OSHA Fit Testing Video
• NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators

How to Choose Lifting Slings

First, identify how many patient lift slings slings your healthcare setting needs. While there isn’t one right answer to this question and the quantity will depend greatly on the patient population in a building, below is a general starting point. These per-lift recommendations will change based on the acuity level of patients and body type.

Sit-To-Stand Lifts:

Sit-to-stand lifts help patients who have some mobility, but need assistance rising from a sitting position. Sit-to-stand lifts allow caregivers to comfortably and safely assist mobility patients with sitting and standing. Below are a few sit to stand lift sling considerations:

Standing Slings: 2 medium and 1 large

Standing slings are ideal for patients who can bear half or more of their own weight and have sufficient head and neck control. These types of sit-to-stand lift slings can take patients from a seated to standing position.

Transport Slings: 1 medium and 1 large

Transport slings provide back support up to a patient’s shoulder area and underneath their thighs. Transport sit-to-stand lift slings can be used for seated transports, such as bed to chair or in room transport.

What Are Specialty Patient Slings?

Keep in mind that you may have patients who, based on weight, shape or specific health needs, require other sizes or sling types (hygiene, walking, gait training, repositioning, etc.)

A few examples of patient-specific slings include:

• Bariatric Sling
• Repositioning Sling
• Harness

What materials are slings made from?

Patient lift slings can also be customized to meet specific needs through their sling material. Common lifting lift material includes:

• Poly. Poly slings are the standard lift sling material and are strong and durable.
• Mesh. Mesh slings are commonly used for bathing, as they dry and let go of water easily.
• Padded. Padded Sit-to-Stand sling material offers added comfort for patients.

Lifting Slings Chart: Multi-Brand Compatible Slings

Direct Supply offers a variety of sling and lift solutions for your healthcare setting. Discover our multi-brand compatible sling selection and learn more about this versatile offering in this Multi Brand Sling Vlog.

Direct Supply’s multi-brand slings have passed compatibility testing and are appropriate to use with leading brands of lift equipment. The lifting slings compatibility charts below contain our Direct Supply multi brand compatible sling models, material and size options:

Floor Lift Slings Chart:

Sit-to-Stand Lift Slings Chart:

Shop the full collection of Direct Supply’s multi-brand slings to standardize and save on slings in your healthcare setting.

A best practice is to assess the needs of each individual patient to determine the lift and sling mix you should purchase. Some benefits of purchasing patient-specific slings include:

How Do I Determine What Sling My Resident Needs?

While fit and comfort are important assessment factors when choosing the correct sling, there are other essential considerations to take into account. The determination of the correct sling model and size must be done by a licensed clinician. That designated licensed clinician should:

1. Assess the resident and determine that the resident actually requires a lift/assist device
2. Determine the correct lift/assist device and sling based on the resident assessment and the manufacturer’s instructions. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations to determine the appropriate sling based on the desired function.
3. Document the specific recommended lift/assist device (make, model and weight capacity) and sling (make, model and size – including any specific attachment instructions). Remember, slings can be made of mesh, breathable fabric, nylon, quilted, padded and may have parts that can be plastic or metal. Be specific.

How Do I Ensure Proper Usage?

Having the proper equipment is an excellent start, but making sure your staff and residents know how to use them is absolutely essential. Be sure to follow any and all manufacturer instructions and safety compliance instructions. Additionally, consider these tips:

However, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is ineffective against C. difficile spores, so it’s vitally important to wash your hands with soap and water after working with a person who has or is suspected of having C. diff. Additionally, alcohol-based hand sanitizer cannot be used in foodservice settings, so soap and water remains the best method in those areas.

Lastly, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during direct patient interaction, especially isolation residents.  Change PPE after every use.

Remember, to properly disinfect and sanitize, you must allow all surfaces to remain wet for the manufacturer’s suggested times – also known as “dwell times.” Use products with shorter dwell times for outbreak control and prevent future infections. Wipe down surfaces with a clean wet cloth after the dwell time has passed and the surface has dried. Bleach, for example, can be damaging to surfaces and harmful to skin and should be wiped off.

General tips

Which is the Best Format for my Healthcare Procurement Strategy?

PunchOut Catalogs:

PunchOut catalog capabilities and features vary by supplier. While PunchOut catalogs can be easy to set up, the system usually offers limited content control. 

PunchOut solutions often require users to navigate multiple external vendor websites to complete their purchases. This can lead to fragmented processes and inconsistencies in data.

Furthermore, the user experience can suffer with punchout solutions. Navigating various supplier websites can be cumbersome and time-consuming, detracting from the efficiency and convenience of the procurement process. Users may find it frustrating to switch between different platforms, leading to decreased productivity.

Suppliers may update or add products to a punchout system without notifying organizations of changes, including pricing. Because suppliers control site content, they may market unwanted promotions and coupon codes to end users. This can cause expensive disruptions to controlled procurement activities and strategies.

Without contracted pricing in place, users may over-purchase non-essential items to take advantage of seemingly attractive pricing discounts. This is wasteful spending, and it can hurt an organization’s business process.

PunchOut Catalogs don’t require a lot of management, which may lead to under utilized contracts and limited purchasing power in future negotiations. This is all to say, PunchOut catalogs can save time for your organization, but spend management over products and services can become much more difficult. 

Hosted procurement solutions eliminate these issues by integrating all vendor catalogs and purchasing activities into one cohesive platform. This integration not only saves time but also improves data accuracy and consistency, as all transactions are recorded within the same system.

Hosted Catalogs:

Hosted catalogs give organizations full control over the pricing that gets loaded. A quality procurement system should require organization approval when a supplier wants to update the product information and price. In addition, organizations can expect functionality to validate a purchase order with the associated invoice and support when discrepancies arise.

In a hosted catalog structure, product data can be depended on to remain relatively consistent. Product descriptions and special offers won’t be changed without the organization knowing about it. This eprocurement system also allows for greater vendor management, meaning you can set more controls over sourcing and pricing. A dependable pricing structure and product catalog makes risk management easier for your organization.

A hosted procurement system supplies benefits beyond consistency in product selection and price. Your procurement team will be able to reduce wasteful spending by requiring a more comprehensive approval process. All product data is centralized into one platform. Now that all of the required information is in one place, it’ll be easier to identify the quantity of raw materials or other products necessary to purchase. 

Security is another critical advantage of hosted procurement solutions. These platforms are designed with robust security measures to protect sensitive data, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Punchout solutions rely heavily on multiple external sites. The decentralization of information may pose greater security risks due to varying security practices among vendors.

Your procurement system may also allow for more comprehensive approvals based on product indicators.  For example, a non-contracted product would allow for additional oversight. Additional visibility into purchasing ensures users are making the most  cost-effective purchases. 

Our Advice for Healthcare Procurement Professionals

When considering a PunchOut or a Hosted catalog solution, stay focused on your desired outcome and procurement goals. From a technological standpoint, PunchOut catalogs offer a simpler process than creating a Hosted catalog. While PunchOut catalogs may offer immediate time savings, they are limited to a supplier’s site features.

Hosted procurement solutions offer a more efficient, secure, and scalable approach to procurement compared to punchout solutions. Centralizing all purchasing activities, enhancing visibility and control, and providing robust support are just some of the benefits. Hosted solutions empower healthcare providers to optimize their procurement processes and focus more on delivering high-quality patient care.

If you’re a procurement manager seeking more comprehensive control and savings, Hosted catalogs are the better option. Hosted catalogs guarantee cost control, which is often a primary reason for putting a healthcare procurement solution in place.

Learn more about Direct Supply’s DSSI procurement solutions here.

How to Select a Wheelchair

• Determine the right type of wheelchair
• Size your wheelchair properly
• Select the appropriate features

To a healthy person, sitting in an awkward position is uncomfortable, but for seniors it can be a danger to their health. The first step to finding the correct wheelchair is to select the type of wheelchair your resident is best suited for – a decision largely dependent on the individual resident and how the wheelchair will be used.

Standard Wheelchairs
Standard wheelchairs are the most common type of wheelchair, providing durable construction and high weight capacities. They are more durable than lightweight wheelchairs and generally less expensive, but not as adjustable.

Heavy Duty Wheelchairs
Heavy Duty wheelchairs offer a large-capacity reinforced frame for supreme durability. 

Reclining Wheelchairs or Tilt Wheelchairs
Reclining wheelchairs and tilt wheelchairs provide pressure redistribution for resident-specific support or relief for a range of conditions. These chairs are often part of an individualized care plan based on clinical assessments.

Bariatric Wheelchairs
Bariatric Wheelchairs are the strongest type of wheelchairs, with reinforced steel at all weight-bearing points help provide additional strength. These chairs are available in wider sizes and with higher weight capacities than Heavy-Duty wheelchairs.

How to Choose a Wheelchair Size

The most important measurements you need to take are seat width, back height, seat depth and seat-to-floor height. By providing a wheelchair with the proper dimensions in these four areas, you will avoid some of the most common and dangerous positioning concerns. Measuring all fields will help ensure optimal comfort and safety.

How to Calculate a Resident’s Seat Depth

1. Measure resident’s rear of buttocks to back of knee
2. Subtract 2½”
3. Add thickness of back cushion (if a cushion is used)

How to Determine Seat-to-Floor Height

1. If resident is under 5′5″ tall, use a Hemi size wheelchair with a 17½” seat height
2. If resident is between 5′5″ and 6′2″, use an Adult size wheelchair with a 19½” to 20½” seat height
3. If resident is over 6′2″ tall, use a Tall size wheelchair with a 21½” seat height

Back Height

Seat-to-Floor Height

Wheelchair Features FAQ

Discover the right features to address your resident’s risk factors, activity level and acuity.

What are the different types of wheelchairs?

There are many different types of patient wheelchairs: transport wheelchairs, lightweight wheelchairs, standard wheelchairs, heavy-duty wheelchairs, bariatric wheelchairs and reclining wheelchairs. Depending on your wheelchair, learn how to select the best wheelchair cushions.

What are my options for wheelchair armrests?
Full-length armrests provide more support for easier ingress and egress while desk-length options allow the chair to fit easily under most desks or tables. Adjustable and flipback armrests can be raised and lowered to better suit the resident.

What are front riggings, and which does my resident need?
Front riggings are optional front-mounted hardware that provides a place for residents to put their feet. Swingaway footrests support the residents’ feet while they are in the chair and rotate out of the way for easier transfers. Elevating legrests support the legs with comfortable calf pads and allow angle-of-elevation adjustment. Articulating legrests are similar to elevating options, but they extend during elevation for enhanced comfort.

What are my upholstery options, and how are they different?
Vinyl is easier to clean and more durable, while nylon is lighter weight and more breathable.

What does “dual axle” mean?
Dual-axle capabilities mean that your wheelchair can transform from standard to hemi height. Hemi height is about 2″ lower than standard seating. This allows the user to more easily self-propel and is also beneficial for residents shorter than 5′ tall.

Microfiber improves staff efficiency by 139%

If an autoscrubber is out of your budget, consider switching to microfiber. This small change can make a huge difference in the amount of time spent on easy tasks. Moving from a 16 oz. wet mop to an 18”W microfiber pad improves staff efficiency by 139%¹.

How to properly size commercial floor care equipment

When making the investment in new floor maintenance equipment, consider sizing first. A properly sized unit makes it easy for your staff to operate and has the potential to reduce the number of paths required. So, it’s vital to know how wide your hallways are in order to invest in the proper equipment. 

 For example, per the National Fire Protection Association 101 Life Safety Code and International Building Code, the majority of states require an 8’-0” wide clearance in Skilled Nursing Facilities, while other states require 6’-0” wide clearance, depending on local codes².  Investing in a 24”W autoscrubber will only require four passes, whereas a 20” unit will require five. The reduction of that single pass equates to a 20% reduction in staff time required.

It’s important to also consider your staff’s ability to handle larger floor maintenance equipment. If you’re investing in larger equipment due to more open common spaces, you may want to research self-propelled or ride-on equipment as a crucial component of your investment. This assists with reducing operator fatigue.

 Popular cleaning systems for small hard floor areas

When it comes to cleaning up small spills and slip hazards, it can be helpful to know what other communities are using to clean their floor. You won’t have to get out the autoscrubber for the odd spill, but it is still important to clean up as quickly as possible to reduce the risk of falls. It isn’t abnormal to find brands such as Rubbermaid offering a wide range of compatible sets for your cleaning needs, such as the Rubbermaid HYGEN cleaning system, which is a microfiber cleaning system you could utilize for cleaning small or compact hard floor areas:  

Seasonal floor care considerations

When it comes to winter and spring, there is one key area to pay more attention to: your doorways. You’ll need to keep an eye on your entrance and exits for:

• Loose gravel/dirt that could scratch your floor
• Salt that could damage floor or stain carpets
• Water that could make the floor slick

So, how can you clean with winter in mind? There are a few key areas to watch out for:

• Vacuum your entry mats regularly. This will help prevent salt, loose gravel and dirt from being transferred from the mats to the floor
• If possible, place exterior mats before your entrances to reduce debris tracked indoors from boots
• Vacuum your floors before you wet or dry mop
• Treat your floors with sealants that protect from scratches, salt, and water damage

Looking forward: the future of autonomous floorcare

We’re seeing a growing amount of autonomous floorcare methods cropping up in the commercial industry. From autonomous robotic floor scrubbers that utilize cameras and sensors to navigate and beyond, robotics is taking a more prominent role in Senior Living. 

The goal for including robotics in Senior Living is to make the jobs of the current staff easier; eliminating the repetitive tasks and leaving staff more time to dedicate to residents. 

Robotics isn’t limited to floorcare – there are already Senior Living communities that utilize robots like Servi in foodservice. Learn more about Servi here.

Sources

1. https://www.parish-supply.com/pdf/issa-cleaning-times.pdf 

2. NFPA: New Health Occupancies 2021 Edition. In NFPA National Fire Codes Online. Retrieved from http://codesonline.nfpa.org

Below are some guidelines we use when helping our customers select the best PTAC units for their community:

The Basics of Inpatient Fall Prevention

Sometimes the Simple Things Get Overlooked

As medical technology continues to evolve, it’s crucial that healthcare facilities implement strategies to ensure the utmost safety of their patients. One area in particular to ensure patient safety is in regards to inpatient fall prevention; while all falls cannot be completely avoided, being proactive against potential risks has shown great success in reducing preventable injuries.

There are small steps you can take to implement a system that best fits your needs and quality goals. Let’s identify some of the risk factors of inpatient falls to promote safer environments within your health care facility in 2023.

Understand the Causes of Inpatient Falls

According to The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, almost one-third of falls can be prevented.¹ Falls are a common and devastating complication of hospital care, particularly in elderly patients. Epidemiologic studies have found that falls occur at a rate of 3–5 per 1000 bed-days, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that 700,000 to 1 million hospitalized patients fall each year.²

Hospital patients typically fall due to a combination of physical and cognitive factors. Physically, patients may have weakened muscles that limit their mobility and make them susceptible to falls. Patients may also experience dizziness or confusion due to medication side effects, recovery from surgery, or other outside factors which may increase the risk of falls resulting in injuries. 

Additional causes of inpatient falls can be attributed to the environment. This includes poor lighting, slippery floors, inadequate patient monitoring, faulty equipment and cluttered hallways. To help reduce the number of inpatient falls, hospitals must take the appropriate steps to implement safety protocols. Additionally, hospitals should ensure that all staff members are properly trained to recognize the potential causes of inpatient falls so they can properly implement hospital fall prevention strategies accordingly.

How To Prevent Inpatient Falls

Knowing the main causes of inpatient falls can help in reducing the risk of occurrence. Hospitals can implement a number of strategies to reduce the risk of inpatient falls and prevent further injury. While you cannot control all risks attributed to a patient’s physical and cognitive state, you can control risks that are attributed to the environment. Strategies to optimize safety in the hospital environment include…

Ensure your patient has a safe bed –

Mattresses such as the Panacea Support Foam Mattress contain raised perimeters to remind patients where the edge of the bed is to prevent them from rolling off. Having a bed with a wider base also decreases the risk of a patient falling off the bed. In addition, you may want to consider installing Adjustable Height Beds in rooms where patients have less mobility. These beds allow staff to adjust the bed so patients can safely transition in and out of the bed. Adjustable height beds can be altered to keep patients safe and comfortable.

Implementing the right call system for your patient –

Consider your patient’s needs and determine the best way for them to quickly alert staff when they are in need of assistance. For instance, does the patient need a call light adapter? Products such as the Attendant Nurse Call Light Adapter ensures your patients have the ability to access help if needed. It is important to make sure that new call light adapters will work with your already installed nurse call system as well.

Educating staff on proper transfer techniques for lifting and moving patients –

Making sure your staff is properly trained to lift and transfer patients is a critical hospital fall prevention strategy. Staff should be familiar with how to use Gait Belts and other Transfer Aids to swiftly help patients get around.  You should also make sure your healthcare facility has a quality Floor Lift to reduce the risk of injury to both staff and patients. A floor lift eliminates the need for manual lifting, which can cause strain on muscles and joints. Additionally, floor lifts can save time by enabling staff to quickly and safely move patients in emergency situations.

By implementing these strategies, hospitals can help to lessen the risk of inpatient falls during their stay. Direct Supply offers a variety of products to reduce fall risk. Learn more about how to strengthen your hospital fall prevention strategies.

The Future of Hospital Fall Prevention Strategies

Investing in the right hospital fall prevention strategies is incredibly important in healthcare. It doesn’t have to be challenging – there are many simple actions you can take that go a long way. The future of fall prevention ensures that patients have access to everything they need in order to remain safe. Adding affordable items such as grip socks to your inventory and implementing other practical strategies can help improve patient safety and satisfaction at hospitals. These measures keep staff safe as well, helping you to promote overall safer environments for your facility in 2023.

References:

¹ Preventing falls in Hospitals. AHRQ. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.ahrq.gov/patient-safety/settings/hospital/fall-prevention/toolkit/index.html

² Falls. Patient Safety Network. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://psnet.ahrq.gov/primer/falls

What Are the Biggest Factors in Choosing a Wheelchair Cushion Type?

Wheelchair cushions are not a one-size-fits-all solution for your fleet and should be suited to each patient individually. As you make this assessment, the two most important considerations are cushion shape and cushion material, each providing their own set of benefits. These different options cater to unique conditions, however, and using the wrong wheelchair cushion could lead to hazardous positioning. Choosing the best wheelchair seat cushion type can provide long term benefits for patients and can prevent and heal skin breakdown.

What Are the Different Wheelchair Cushion Shapes?

The four most popular wheelchair cushion shape types are saddle-shaped wheelchair cushions, pommel-shaped wheelchair cushions, wedge-shaped wheelchair cushions and anti-thrust wheelchair cushions.

When choosing a wheelchair seat cushion shape type, it’s important to consider a patients’ mobility and positioning needs. Do they need pain pressure relief for posture issues, such as posterior pelvic toilet or pelvic rotation? Skin breakdown can be prevented by choosing a wheelchair cushion type that comfortably positions patients. 

Anti-Thrust Wheelchair Cushions: Used to help mitigate slide for seniors and patients who are constantly moving in their wheelchairs. An anti-thrust wheelchair seat cushion prevents sliding with a high-front and low-back cushion design. 

How Can I Choose the Best Wheelchair Cushion Material?

The three most popular wheelchair cushion material types are foam, gel and air. The materials your wheelchair cushions are made of can have an impact on resident comfort and experiences. Foam wheelchair cushions, gel wheelchair cushions and air wheelchair cushions each present their own set of benefits.

• Foam Cushions for Wheelchairs: Best for maximizing immersion with a greater degree of pressure management and offloading properties.
• Gel Cushions for Wheelchairs: Best for regulating body temperatures and reducing buildup of moisture.
• Air Cushions for Wheelchairs: Best for advanced pressure management and all-day comfort with a cool and dry surface.

Wheelchair Cushion FAQ:

What are the different types of wheelchair cushion shapes?

The four most popular wheelchair cushion shape types are saddle-shaped wheelchair cushions, pommel-shaped wheelchair cushions, wedge-shaped wheelchair cushions and anti-thrust wheelchair cushions.

What are the types of wheelchair cushion material?

The materials your wheelchair cushions are made of can have an impact on resident comfort and experiences. Foam wheelchair cushions, gel wheelchair cushions and air wheelchair cushions each present their own set of benefits.

What are the biggest factors in choosing a wheelchair cushion type?

The overarching two most important considerations are cushion shape and cushion material, each providing their own set of benefits.

The Benefits of Choosing the Best Wheelchair Seat Cushion Type

Knowing how to choose the best wheelchair seat cushions for patients in your healthcare setting can create comfortable wheelchair experiences and prevent pressure sores and skin breakdown. Refer to our blog on using equipment to prevent skin breakdown to see how mattresses and other assistive devices can also increase your patients’ quality of care.