Proactive Seating Program Clinical Outcome

Kindred Nursing and Rehab-Smith County, Carthage, TN

Treating Clinician:  Julie Grisham, DOR

 

Patient: 82 year old, Male, Long Term Care Resident

Primary Diagnosis: Dementia

 Existing Wheelchair Seating: Hemi height sling seat standard wheelchair with anti-tippers, soft seat belt, pressure alarm

Positioning Issues:

This patient had more than 10 falls from his wheelchair, and had tried multiple seating arrangements without resultant decreases in falls. Eventually a soft seat belt was applied to his chair, which still did not prevent his falls. The patient was only able to average 2 hours a day out of bed due to pain and has had days when he was unable to get into his wheelchair secondary to pain. The patient was attempting to climb out of his wheelchair repeatedly throughout the day, which was likely due to pain.

 PostureWorks Intervention: Engage APOD® Medium Profile cushion was utilized with this patient; seat belt restraint and pressure alarm removed.

Outcome / Efficacy of Treatment: The patient has experienced no falls since the Engage APOD intervention was initiated; Engage APOD was a successful resolution to his falls. He has increased his out-of-bed time to 6-8 hours a day, which has significantly increased his QOL. The patient no longer attempts to climb out of his wheelchair. 

Therapist Quote:
“The Engage APOD cushion has allowed my patient to have an increase in QOL.  He is now able to get out of bed more as he has had a decrease in pain, and he no longer is falling.”

 

Note: This is a representative example; actual user evaluations, and decisions regarding the appropriateness of a particular product for a particular individual, should always be made by a qualified healthcare professional.