title: Differences between manufacturers in reported power wheelchair repairs and adverse consequences among people with spinal cord injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the frequency of power wheelchair (PWC) repairs and consequences experienced over a 6-month period by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk, based on manufacturer, seating functions, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) group, and model, and over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience observational sample survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spinal Cord Injury Model System centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals with SCI (N=945) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of required wheelchair repairs and resulting consequences (ie, being stranded, missing work/school, or missing a medical appointment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates of required repairs (47.6%-63.3%) and consequences (26.7%-40.7%) were high across manufacturers. Differences between manufacturers were found among PWCs without seating functions (P<.001-.008) and among group 2 wheelchairs (P=.007). Across the 10 most prescribed wheelchairs in this study, 54.5% to 73.9% of users required 1 or more repairs over a 6-month period. Increases in the number of repairs were also found for several PWC manufacturers with time. Differences were found in participant age, working status, years since injury, and presence of seating functions between manufacturers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differences found in the number of repairs reported by survey respondents based on PWC manufacturer and the increases in repairs over time require further evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Worobey
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oyster
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pearlman
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gebrosky
authors.affiliation: Human Engineering Research Laboratories, Rehabilitation Research and Development Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. Electronic address: boninger@pitt.edu.
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Boninger
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014910:Wheelchairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Equipment failure; Reference standards; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries; Wheelchairs