Mobility aids unit 1 deck 1 - TBC Flashcards Preview

BMSc - Applied Ortho Semester 2 > Mobility aids unit 1 deck 1 - TBC > Flashcards

Flashcards in Mobility aids unit 1 deck 1 - TBC Deck (29)
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1
Q

Describe the overall organization of the national wheelchair service in the UK

A
  1. Wheelchairs are provided by and maintained by the Health service.
  2. The whole organization is then ran by the Government
2
Q

What is the main aim of the wheelchair service team ?

A

To ensure the wheelchair user regains in part at least their mobility despite the restrictions of their medical condition

3
Q

A potential wheelchair user will be referred to the wheelchair service usually by a doctor, community therapist or hospital practitioner.

What are the 2 main referral patterns to the wheelchair service ?

A
  1. Direct referral for a specific chair
  2. Or referral for full assessment by team members of the wheelchair service
4
Q

What is the difference in assessment of potential wheelchair users who live within Dundee city who are referred to the wheelchair service compared to potential users who live outside dundee city but within Tayside ?

A

All potential wheelchair users from the city visit a wheelchair clinic to see a specialist medical clinician and an OT and/or Rehabilitation engineer

Whereas those from outside the city are seen by a rehabilitation engineer during a home visit, but in some circumstances the referring clinician may be asked to prescribe the person a specific chair using referral documentation posted to them

5
Q

Who are the exception to the rule of where you live determines who you see when referred to the wheelchair service in tayside ?

A

Children - regardless of where a child lives within tayside they will be seen in the wheelchair clinic like those living in dundee city

6
Q

What age are the vast majority (51%) of wheelchair users ?

A

Over 65

7
Q

What 2 main problems are the majority of wheelchair users diagnosed with ?

A
  1. Neurological deficity (51%)
  2. Musculoskeletal problems (20%)
8
Q

In elderly people who form the majority of referrals, neurological deficits caused by e.g. CVA (stroke) are common, what type of wheelchair is often required for them?

A

A wheelchair which is pushed by an attendant

9
Q

In young people with neurological deficits caused by e.g. CP or musculoskeletal problems caused by e.g. muscular dystrophy, what is the difference in wheelchair requirements compared to elderly patients and why ?

A
  • They require continued reassessment and maintenance of the appropriate chair for them.
  • This is due to being more active and still growing and developing
10
Q

Who comprises the wheelchair service team ?

A
  1. Medical clinician
  2. Therapist e.g. OT
  3. Rehabilitation engineer
  4. Technical support staff
  5. Administrative staff
11
Q

What is the most common age at referral of wheelchair users in Tayside ?

A

86

12
Q

What is the main diagnosis for a wheelchair being prescribed ?

A

Neurological deficits (51%)

13
Q

What does formal assessment of potential wheelchair users ensure ?

A

Correct prescription and the continuity of provision

14
Q

What are the requirements for the environment for formal assessment of a potential wheelchair user ?

A
  1. A designated clinic area - as this helps to reduce fears
  2. Quiet & friendly atmosphere
  3. No interruptions during assessment
15
Q

What should be displayed in the clinic area of the wheelchair clinic and why?

A

Examples of wheelchairs so the wheelchair user can see the potential wheelchairs available to them

16
Q

Who should accompany a potential wheelchair user to the assessment and why?

A

A carer or relative to help in the choice of chair and assessment

17
Q

List the priority cases to be seen in the wheelchair clinic ?

A
  1. Children
  2. All patients from dundee city (within 15km of clinic)
  3. All cases requiring special seating
  4. All self propelling chairs
  5. All potential power chair users
18
Q

Where should the assessment of a potential wheelchair user ideally be undertaken ?

A

Where the wheelchair service is based in that area this may be e.g. the hospital, an artificial limb & appliance centre or a specalised rehab unit

19
Q

When there is a concentration of potential wheelchair users away from the wheelchair service centre in dundee what is done ?

A

Satellite clinics are set up e.g. at special schools, nursing homes, residential accommodation

20
Q

What needs to be completed at the end of each visit of a wheelchair user to the wheelchair clinic ?

A

Concise documentation to ensure continuity of assessment and prescription - known as wheelchair prescription form

21
Q

What needs to be included in the documentation after each visit to the wheelchair clinic?

A
  1. Personal data e.g. name, DOB etc
  2. Pathological diagnosis
  3. Domestic circumstances e.g. alone at home, with relatives etc
  4. Environmental considerations
  5. Availability of transport e.g. has a car, access to taxi etc
  6. Carers fitness - if being pushed by carer
  7. Personal fitness - if user propels the wheelchair by themselves or controls an electronic wheelchair
22
Q

The physical characteristics of a potential wheelchair user need to be measured accurately in order to ensure correct wheelchair selection - what are the essential physical measurements which need to be taken?

A
  1. Height and weight of user - many wheelchairs max weight is 100kg
  2. Hip width + 4cm to avoid users hips pressing on the sides (a)
  3. Thigh length minus 2cm to give ideal depth of chair to allow space behind the knee for clearance of the seats forward edge (b) - sacrum to popliteal fossa
  4. Shank or calf length ideally the footplate height must enable the patient to sit with the feet flat on the plate and the thigh horizontal (c) - popliteal fossa to ground (shoes on and feet flat on ground)
  5. Shoulder to seat length (back rest height) (d) - inferior edge of scapula to seat to provide comfort and make self-propulsion easier. Sometimes an extended backrest and headrest may be used
  6. Arm height (e) - seat to elbow with patient sitting with upper arm vertical and elbow flexed to 90 degrees - allows patient to rest arms comfortably
  7. Cushion needs should also be assessed - this can alter seat to ground or seat to footplate heights
23
Q

Illustration of thigh length - 2cm

A
24
Q

What position must the potential wheelchair user be in during physical measurement ?

A

Person sitting down with feet firmly supported on the ground

25
Q

Which 3 factors are important in creating a favourable environment for a wheelchair assessment clinic ?

A
  1. Designated clinic area which is comfortable, quiet and friendly
  2. Examples of wheelchairs on view and for trial
  3. Presence of a carer/relative
26
Q

What is the max weight limit of many standard wheelchairs?

A

100kg

27
Q

What are the essential measurements needed to select a wheelchair ?

A
  1. Hip
  2. Thigh
  3. Shank
  4. Back height
  5. Arm rest height
28
Q

Ultimately what must the prescription of a wheelchair take into account ?

A
  1. The needs of the potential wheelchair user and their future aspirations
  2. The needs of the carer
  3. The environment in which the wheelchair will be used in
29
Q

Using the measured physical dimensions of the potential wheelchair user what should be offered ?

A

A range of wheelchairs if available if matching their physical measurements