Wheelchair-bound residents in nursing facilities: the basics.
More than 70% of nursing home residents spend at least part of their day in wheelchairs. Ideally, each resident would be fitted for his or her own wheelchair. A well-fitted chair can improve mobility, safety, and comfort. Wheelchairs that are ill fitting, however, can cause or exacerbate medical problems. These include posture-related complications like poor breathing or dysphagia, falls, pressure sores, and several other conditions. Pharmacists who are involved with quality improvement activities can make wheelchair use and selection a priority, improving care for wheelchair-bound residents.
Wick
Jeannette Y
JY
National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesdsa, Maryland, USA.
Zanni
Guido R
GR
D000368:Aged; D003253:Consultants; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control