Wheelchair Cushion
Wheelchair Cushion
Wheelchair Cushion helps distribute your body weight over its surface. It also helps re-distribute
pressure away from areas that are considered 'at risk' for pressure ulcer formation. Many different
materials and combination of materials are used in wheelchair cushion, all of which have both
positive and negative characteristics.
Recently, industry representatives, researchers, and a panel of health care professionals had
identified nine characteristics that impact efficacy and should be considered when selecting
your Wheelchair Cushion.
- Redistribution of Pressure -- A wheelchair cushion should support your body weight
without causing harm to your skin.
- Skin Temperature Control -- You should not sweat when seated on a wheelchair cushion. Some
materials such as foam are naturally hotter than other materials such as gel.
- Skin Moisture Control -- Your wheelchair cushion should help keep your skin dry and should
not allow moisture or wetness to build-up next to the skin because wet skin is more easily damaged.
- Patient/Product Friction -- The friction between the wheelchair cushion cover and your clothes should
not be too great (prevents you from transferring) or too little (allows you to keep sliding off
the cushion).
- Life Expectancy -- You should know how long a cushion is expected to last so it can be replaced
before problems arise.
- Flammability -- A cushion should not ignite into flames if a cigarette is dropped on it.
- Fail Safety -- You should know what happens to your cushion if it breaks or becomes unusable.
- Infection Control -- A cushion should not encourage or promote the formation of bacteria or other germs.
- Product Service Requirements -- An owner’s manual should tell you how to clean and maintain your
cushion and who to contact if a problem arises.
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