User Quick Tips

Sore prevention

1. Perform your best pressure relief for two minutes every half hour.

  • Lean very far forward … or
  • Lean to the sides (left and right) … or
  • Push up with your hands (can cause wrist injury)

2. Keep skin clean and dry, especially at the seat surface.

3. Check for red or discolored skin at the seat surface twice a day. Ask for help or use a mirror.

4. If you develop a sore from sitting, it is best not to sit on the sore until it is healed and contact your service provider.

Cushion use and care

  • Place the relief to the rear of the cushion.
  • When using a “lift”, place it under the comfort cushion.
  • The opened side of the cover should face the back
  • Hand wash the cover with soap and water and air dry
  • When the cushion stops bouncing back when you compress it, contact your service provider for a replacement.

Warning

  • A poorly fitted cushion can result in pressure sores which can lead to death.
  • A wheelchair provider with limited knowledge and skill can improve through research and direct training.

See: WHO’s “Wheelchair Provision Training Packages” available soon:

See also:“Guidelines on Provision of Wheelchairs in Less Resourced Settings”:

Regionally provided by:

Locally provided by:

NOON DESIGN

Present

The Two In OneWheelchair Cushion“Trial edition”

Attention: This model is now being trialed and tested. It is appropriate for moderate pressure management. Users with high risk of developing pressure sores should use cushion intended for high risk or customized by a skilled provider.

The ComfortCushion can be used on most wheelchairs.

The Lift can be used under the comfort cushion and inside the cover to improve pressure distribution.

The Cover has a stretchy, breathable layer against the body and a moisture barrier to protect the foam from damage.

Cushion Features

A – Comfort cushion

B – Seat bone well

C – Hip shelf

D – Thigh shape

E – Lift

The cushion follows the shape of the body and reduces pressure at high risk areas.

Service ProviderQuick Tips

Assessment

1. Assess the users overall wheelchair needs (see WHO link on back). Help the user to decide:

a. Does the user have sensation at the seat surface? Yes No

b. Can they independently shift their weight to relieve pressure? Yes No

2. If the answer is yes to question “a”, you may recommend a comfort cushion and cover. If the answer is no to question “a” or “b”, you may recommend that a “lift” be used inside the cover and under the comfort cushion.

3. Decide the size of cushion needed.

12” wide x 12 to 14 deep (30 x 30 to 36 cm)*

14” wide x 14 to 16 deep (36 x 36 to 40 cm)*

16” wide x 16 to18 deep (40 x 40 to 46 cm)*

18” wide x 16 to 18 deep (46 x 40 to 46 cm)*

20” wide x 16 to 18 deep (50 x 40 to 46 cm)*

* sizes are nominal

4. Cut the cushion (and lift) to the correct depth.

Fitting

1. Using the new cushion, adjust the foot supports so that there is equal pressure under the foot and under the thigh.

3. Check with one hand to see if the pressure is safe. Check under the seat bones and hips (left and right sides).

Level one = safe:Fingertip can wriggle up and down. Usually no change needed.

Level two = warning: Finger tips cannot wriggle, but can easily slide out. Change needed if the user and provider have concerns (i.e. history of skin problems)

Level 3 = unsafe: Finger tips are squeezed firmly. It is difficult to slide fingers out. Change is always needed.

4. If change is needed, tryadditional lifts, cut the foam or try a different cushion. Check pressure again.