Wheelchair Assessment - Body Measurements: Difference between revisions
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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
A well-fitted wheelchair or seating system requires a ‘made-to-measure’ solution. Generally, the more seating surface that is in contact with the client, the more body measurements that will need to be obtained for a wheelchair prescription. Accurate measurement of the client will enable clinicians to allow the wheelchair user to trial correctly sized equipment, reduce the number of transfers and improve time management during trials by pre-setting the seating and wheelchair according to body measurement prior to an appointment. It will also ensure an accurate reference for the final wheelchair configuration during the prescription phase or any future equipment trials where applicable. Finally it will assist the wheelchair service personnel to outline the clinical reasoning behind the specifications of wheelchair prescriptions in funding applications. | A well-fitted wheelchair or seating system requires a ‘made-to-measure’ solution. Generally, the more seating surface that is in contact with the client, the more body measurements that will need to be obtained for a wheelchair prescription. Accurate measurement of the client will enable clinicians to allow the wheelchair user to trial correctly sized equipment, reduce the number of transfers and improve time management during trials by pre-setting the seating and wheelchair according to body measurement prior to an appointment. It will also ensure an accurate reference for the final wheelchair configuration during the prescription phase or any future equipment trials where applicable. Finally it will assist the wheelchair service personnel to outline the clinical reasoning behind the specifications of wheelchair prescriptions in funding applications. <ref name=":0">Sarah Frost, Kylie Mines, Jamie Noon, Elsje Scheffler, and Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle. Wheelchair Service Training Package - Reference Manual for Participants - Basic Level. World Health Organization, Geneva. 2012</ref><ref name=":1">Sarah Frost, Kylie Mines, Jamie Noon, Elsje Scheffler, and Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle. Wheelchair Service Training Package - Reference Manual for Participants - Intermediate Level. World Health Organization, Geneva. 2013</ref> | ||
=== Measuring Tools === | === Measuring Tools === | ||
* Use a retractable metal tape measure | * Use a retractable metal tape measure | ||
* clipboards/books can be used to help measure accurately (see process below). | * clipboards/books can be used to help measure accurately (see process below). | ||
* Large callipers are an additional tool that can be very useful. These can be made locally from wood. | * Large callipers are an additional tool that can be very useful. These can be made locally from wood. | ||
* Foot-blocks can also be used to support the wheelchair user’s feet at the correct height. | * Foot-blocks can also be used to support the wheelchair user’s feet at the correct height. <ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Basic Measurements == | == Basic Measurements == | ||
Five measurements from the wheelchair user are needed to choose the best available size of wheelchair for for a wheelchair user that has good trunk control and does not require additional postural support. | Five measurements from the wheelchair user are needed to choose the best available size of wheelchair for for a wheelchair user that has good trunk control and does not require additional postural support.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
=== Process === | === Process === | ||
Ask the wheelchair user to sit as upright as possible with the wheelchair user’s feet supported either on the floor or on foot-blocks if they cannot reach the floor comfortably with the hips in a neutral position. For all measurements, make sure the tape measure is held straight and the wheelchair user is sitting upright. Holding a clipboard/book on either side of the wheelchair user can help in obtaining an accurate measurement. Bend down to ensure you are viewing the tape measure at the correct angle.<div align="justify"> | Ask the wheelchair user to sit as upright as possible with the wheelchair user’s feet supported either on the floor or on foot-blocks if they cannot reach the floor comfortably with the hips in a neutral position. For all measurements, make sure the tape measure is held straight and the wheelchair user is sitting upright. Holding a clipboard/book on either side of the wheelchair user can help in obtaining an accurate measurement. Bend down to ensure you are viewing the tape measure at the correct angle.<ref name=":0" /><div align="justify"> | ||
[[File:Measuring.jpeg|frameless|750x750px]] | [[File:Measuring.jpeg|frameless|750x750px]] | ||
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== Intermediate Measurements == | == Intermediate Measurements == | ||
Measuring a wheelchair user to select the correct wheelchair size and location of PSDs. On the measurements part of the intermediate wheelchair assessment form there are twelve body measurements listed. Five measurements are the same measurements | Measuring a wheelchair user to select the correct wheelchair size and location of PSDs. On the measurements part of the intermediate wheelchair assessment form there are twelve body measurements listed. Five measurements are the same measurements as above in the Basic measurements. One additional backrest height body measurement is added to the intermediate wheelchair assessment form. Seat to top of shoulder measurement is used to measure a wheelchair user for a high backrest. There are six more measurements, which will help to decide the size and/or location of PSDs. Sometimes it may be necessary to take more measurements, depending on the PSDs prescribed. There is space on the intermediate wheelchair assessment form to record ‘other’ measurements. <ref name=":1" /> | ||
== Resources == | == Resources == | ||
Revision as of 01:01, 19 July 2018
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
A well-fitted wheelchair or seating system requires a ‘made-to-measure’ solution. Generally, the more seating surface that is in contact with the client, the more body measurements that will need to be obtained for a wheelchair prescription. Accurate measurement of the client will enable clinicians to allow the wheelchair user to trial correctly sized equipment, reduce the number of transfers and improve time management during trials by pre-setting the seating and wheelchair according to body measurement prior to an appointment. It will also ensure an accurate reference for the final wheelchair configuration during the prescription phase or any future equipment trials where applicable. Finally it will assist the wheelchair service personnel to outline the clinical reasoning behind the specifications of wheelchair prescriptions in funding applications. [1][2]
Measuring Tools[edit | edit source]
- Use a retractable metal tape measure
- clipboards/books can be used to help measure accurately (see process below).
- Large callipers are an additional tool that can be very useful. These can be made locally from wood.
- Foot-blocks can also be used to support the wheelchair user’s feet at the correct height. [1]
Basic Measurements[edit | edit source]
Five measurements from the wheelchair user are needed to choose the best available size of wheelchair for for a wheelchair user that has good trunk control and does not require additional postural support.[1]
Process[edit | edit source]
Ask the wheelchair user to sit as upright as possible with the wheelchair user’s feet supported either on the floor or on foot-blocks if they cannot reach the floor comfortably with the hips in a neutral position. For all measurements, make sure the tape measure is held straight and the wheelchair user is sitting upright. Holding a clipboard/book on either side of the wheelchair user can help in obtaining an accurate measurement. Bend down to ensure you are viewing the tape measure at the correct angle.[1]
Intermediate Measurements[edit | edit source]
Measuring a wheelchair user to select the correct wheelchair size and location of PSDs. On the measurements part of the intermediate wheelchair assessment form there are twelve body measurements listed. Five measurements are the same measurements as above in the Basic measurements. One additional backrest height body measurement is added to the intermediate wheelchair assessment form. Seat to top of shoulder measurement is used to measure a wheelchair user for a high backrest. There are six more measurements, which will help to decide the size and/or location of PSDs. Sometimes it may be necessary to take more measurements, depending on the PSDs prescribed. There is space on the intermediate wheelchair assessment form to record ‘other’ measurements. [2]
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Sarah Frost, Kylie Mines, Jamie Noon, Elsje Scheffler, and Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle. Wheelchair Service Training Package - Reference Manual for Participants - Basic Level. World Health Organization, Geneva. 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sarah Frost, Kylie Mines, Jamie Noon, Elsje Scheffler, and Rebecca Jackson Stoeckle. Wheelchair Service Training Package - Reference Manual for Participants - Intermediate Level. World Health Organization, Geneva. 2013
