Power Assist and Power Add-on for Manual Wheelchairs: A Clinical Perspective
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Karla Sonderland, MS, OTR/L
Sunrise Medical

This course is designed for direct access therapists, suppliers, product representatives, and other seating and mobility professionals to enhance their knowledge and clinical application of the subject matter. Power assist and power add-on systems have rapidly evolved in recent years. They are commonly considered as a method of making a manual wheelchair a more functional option or as an alternative to a power wheelchair. This course focuses on rear, main-wheel, and front-wheel motor options as a power assist. Clinical indications for these technologies and objective measures useful to qualify the technology will be outlined. Funding criteria and justification for reimbursement will be provided. Functional use, training, set up, and care of the devices is also discussed.

Tailored Seating Solutions for High-Risk Clients
0.1 CEU / Beginner
Presented by: Ashley Detterbeck, PT, DPT, ATP/SMS
Permobil

In the wheelchair seating arena, providing a seating system for the clients at high risk for pressure injury can be both intimidating and overwhelming. This 1-hr course provides an in-depth understanding of how to incorporate evaluation findings, seating characteristics, and client goals when formulating equipment recommendations for high-risk clients. Participants will learn to identify clinical indicators of pressure injury risk, apply ISO wheelchair cushion performance standards, and recognize key material traits in seating products. A complex case example will be discussed to illustrate the process of integrating evidence and client goals to enhance functional independence.

By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge to make informed, evidence-based, and client-centered seating recommendations, ultimately improving the quality of life for wheelchair users.

Clinically Speaking: The Power of Prevention
0.1 CEU / Beginner
Presented by: Andrea Lewis, OTR/L
Quantum Rehab

Individuals with chronic medical conditions and long-term disabilities who have a permanent need for a wheelchair require a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of their physical, functional and environmental needs to allow clinicians and ATP suppliers to make appropriate Assistive Technology recommendations for a successful outcome.

This course will examine the clinical decision-making process and algorithmic approach to mobility assistive equipment trial and recommendation. This course will also serve as a review of preventative therapeutic use of powered seating features that allow end user increased independence not only in daily activities but also in the importance of medical management when caregiver and therapy resources may be limited. The use of powered features will be reviewed in regard to management of frequent co-morbidities and medical conditions such as: orthostatic hypotension, edema, contracture/tone management, pressure injury prevention, and the application of positioning components that can aid in decreased the complications of skeletal deformities over time. Many times, end users may be overlooked for their potential of meeting power wheelchair criteria that could provide them increased functional independence and control within their environments and to help be a part of preventing further medical complications. It is known that over 60,000 people in the United States die each year form pressure injuries alone and we know that utilization of pressure re-distribution for those lacking sensation and independent mobility can reduce this by giving the user control of their repositioning.

Are You Prepared for the Wheelchair Assessment? Critical Role of the Therapist, Initial Evaluation and Mat Exam
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Kelly Waugh, PT, MAPT, ATP
Kalogon

Physical and Occupational Therapists have a critical role to play in wheelchair service delivery, and current educational content in this area is lacking. In this presentation, I will clarify the role of the clinician as distinct from the CRT supplier and establish the Initial PT/OT Therapy Evaluation as a critical step to complete prior to the wheelchair assessment.  The necessary components of the Initial Therapy Evaluation will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on The Mat Exam.  I will review basic mat exam methodologies highlighting the significance of joint range of motion findings for wheelchair seating prescription. A summary will review how to translate supine range of motion values into the three primary body and seating system angles critical for seating prescription, regardless of product solution.

Prescriptive Planning - Turning Chaos Into (an) Order
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Curt Prewitt, MS, PT, ATP
Etac/Ki Mobility

Every wheelchair fitting starts with a good eval, from client history to equipment trials, to careful measurements (and let’s not forget to get the rider’s and caregivers’ thoughts on what matters to them).  Once we have funding, we do our delivery and fitting and we’re done with that rider for the next 5 years, right?  We know that’s not the case at all.  Riders change.  Whether it’s growth, weight changes, changes in the rider’s condition, or evolution of wheelchair skills, riders change.  Can the chair you prescribed change with them?

In this session, we are going to look at a variety of the decisions that you often face when configuring a chair and help navigate some of options that will allow you to build future adjustments into the chair.  We will discuss some of the more critical adjustments to consider, and what their impact can be on present and future performance.  We will also discuss some of the set-up factors you need to consider when fitting and adjusting your chair and will offer some tips on how to avoid some of the mistakes that can rob a chair of its efficiency and performance.

Making Power Wheelchairs Smarter: Exploring the Continuum of SMART Technology
0.1 CEU / Intermediate
Presented by: Angela Regier, OTD, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
LUCI

Many power wheelchair drivers face a variety of issues related to their independence, safety, efficiency, and accessibility as a result of impaired motor control, visual deficits, impaired reaction time, inattention, and various other deficits that are common among wheeled mobility users. This course will review the continuum of currently available SMART technologies that can be incorporated into the power wheelchair to address these issues and improve driver safety, confidence, and independence.