This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Frank, A O Articles by Belcher, M Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Frank, A O Articles by Belcher, M Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Introduction of a new NHS electric-powered indoor/outdoor chair (EPIOC) service: benefits, risks and implications for prescribers

Disablement Services Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK

J Ward

Kings Healthcare Trust, Disablement Services Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK

N J Orwell

C Mccullagh

M Belcher

Disablement Services Centre, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, UK

Objective: To determine problems associated with electric-powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs (EPIOCs) and the benefits perceived by their users.

Design: Hospital-based cohort study of all patients referred over a 19-month period.

Setting: Regional Wheelchair Service for North West London serving nine district wheelchair services.

Subjects: Of the 174 subjects referred, 10 withdrew their application or were found to be unsuitable at screening, 164 were assessed and 124 were prescribed chairs. One hundred and thirteen subjects were interviewed by telephone four months after provision of the chair.

Main measures: Demographic and diagnostic data; current chair usage; self-reported accidents and component faults were compared with those recorded in the unit records; new activities embarked on since delivery; and benefits reported for main carers.

Results: Seventeen ‘mishaps’ were reported by 15 users including tipping from chairs (6) and falls during transfers (3). Three probably reflected mechanical failure. Component failure was found in 39% of EPIOCs, mostly affecting control boxes (22), frames (10) and footrests (10). New activities were undertaken by 56 (50%) users, usually shopping and visits to friends/family. Eighty-five per cent of users felt that the chairs made life easier for their informal carers through increased independence, reducing transfers and reduced need for ‘pushing’.

Conclusions: The component failures and self-reported accidents (some potentially dangerous) have implications for the NHS, manufacturers, prescribers and users. EPIOCs enhance the independence of severely physically disabled individuals in the community and assist carers by lessening dependence and enhancing social interaction. This study demonstrated the need for follow-up of EPIOC users and chairs.

Clinical Rehabilitation, Vol. 14, No. 6, 665-673 (2000)
DOI: 10.1191/0269215500cr376oa


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Evans, A. O. Frank, C. Neophytou, and L. de Souza Older adults' use of, and satisfaction with, electric powered indoor/outdoor wheelchairs Age Ageing, July 1, 2007; 36(4): 431 - 435. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Gibson and A. Frank Supporting individuals with disabling multiple sclerosis J R Soc Med, January 12, 2002; 95(12): 580 - 586. [Full Text] [PDF]