Get Rolling on Finding the Right Wheelchair The marketplace is full of wheelchairs, and not all of them are created equal! Wheelchairs should be chosen to match the user's specific needs and since many residents will spend the majority of their days in them, matching them with the ideal product is crucial. At many facilities, a healthcare team is involved in making wheelchair recommendations. This team might include a physician, physical therapist and occupational therapist. Typically, once a wheelchair is selected, the physical therapist will help the resident learn transferring, propulsion and maneuvering techniques. Not sure where to start? The AARP suggests considering the following: 1. What are the resident's specific disability, medical and management issues? Take independence, pressure relief and orthotics into consideration. 2. Consider the resident's size, weight and posture. Would the resident need a bariatric or heavy-duty chair? 3. Does a condition such as fixed scoliosis or kyphosis need to be accommodated? 4. What is the resident's functional ability? Consider the individual's sitting balance, ability to transfer himself and provide pressure relief, upper extremity strength and dexterity and cognitive level. 5. Will the wheelchair be a primary or secondary means of positioning and mobility? 6. What kind of wheelchair seat would be best? Flat, molded and contoured seats are available. 7. When it comes to armrests, would fixed, removable, reversible, desk-length or adjustable be best? 8. Does the user have the ability to operate a manual wheelchair? Can they wheel the chair over various types of terrain (tile, carpeting, asphalt, grass, etc.) as well as curbs and ramps? Can they transfer in and out of the chair, lock the brakes and swing away the foot rests, or do they require assistance? 9. How much maintenance is required? Solidly built manual chairs require minimal assistance, but proper function of wheel locks and other components should still be monitored frequently and adjusted as needed. To learn more, click here. Take a Tour of the Perfect Survey You know your problems. What you need are solutions. When you join us for a free tour of Compliance Solutions: For the Perfect Survey Every Day, you'll see that when it comes to survey preparation, you don't need another program, piece of software or consultant telling you where your problems lie. You need proven solutions to those problems. We’re now offering monthly webinars detailing all of the features available on our exclusive online survey preparation tool. During these webinars, our Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Compliance, Pam West, will guide you through the site's contents, including: The actual forms that surveyors use Guidance broken down by F tag and care area Exclusive tips from industry veterans Case studies to address how you would handle specific challenges in your own facility Whether you're a registered Perfect Survey user or just interested in learning more, joining us for a webinar could put you on the road to your own perfect survey. Our next webinar will be held on November 17 (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST). ProMed Thanksgiving Closing Notice We wanted to let you know that Professional Medical will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25 in honor of Thanksgiving. Orders placed by noon on Friday, November 18 will be delivered by Wednesday, November 23. Orders placed after noon on Friday, November 18 will be delivered the week of November 28. If you have any questions or concerns at all, please contact our customer care department at 800.648.5190. Removable Desk Arm Wheelchair Our Removable Desk Arm Wheelchair features padded 18" arms and elevating leg rests. Durable nylon upholstery and composite mag wheels with maintenance-free bearings make it a reliable addition to your facility. Additional Features: 300 lb. weight capacity Seat is 18" wide and 16" deep Steel frame Composite footplates and handrims Dual axle converts to hemi Five-year warranty on welds and crossbrace; one-year warranty on upholstery and wheel locks **Super Special is available until November 30, 2011 or while supplies last. Product pricing is only visible to registered promedsupply.com customers. If you are not yet registered, one of our Customer Care Professionals will be happy to get you set up. Just give us a call at (800) 648-5190.