When to Use a Broda
- Change in Medication
- Change in Behavior
- Increased Time in Bed
Change in Condition
As the patient’s condition progresses/changes, it is important that they are reassessed to assure they continue to use equipment that will meet their needs, provide them comfort and keep them safe. The need for reassessment can be identified by:
- A decrease in sitting tolerance
- Increased risk for/or development of pressure ulcers
- Decreased ability to self-ambulate and/or self-propel
- Implementing use of restraints to keep patient seated safely
- Increase in postural deviations such as; head drop, lateral lean, slumping and sliding forward while seated
Change in Medication
Patients that are utilizing equipment that no longer meets their needs can result in symptoms and conditions that may cause a change in the use of medications. This can be identified by verbal and non-verbal cues such as:
- Increased reports of pain
- Complaints of new pain
- Behavior changes due to discomfort, pain, and inability to verbalize need
- Increased symptoms such as; swelling of the upper and lower extremities, numbness of the upper and lower extremities, back pain and hip pain
- Increase in use of pain, psychotropic and other medications due to the above
Change in Behavior
Prolonged discomfort can cause increased pain and exasperate other symptoms facilitating a change in the patient’s behavior. For patients who are unable to verbalize their need, these changes may show in the form of frustration or aggression. This can be identified by verbal and non-verbal cues such as:
- New or increased signs of aggression
- New or increased episodes of frustration
- Increased attempts to exit the chair increasing fall risk
- Behavioral changes such as aggression, crying, yelling etc.
- Implementing use of restraints to keep patient seated safely
- Increase in use of psychotropic medications (to calm patient)
Increased Time in Bed
The patient’s sitting tolerance and ability to socialize may change due to using a wheelchair that no longer meets their needs. Over time, modular seating systems no longer provide the comfort they once did. When patients become uncomfortable sitting in their wheelchair they begin to spend more time in bed potentially increasing their risk for pressure ulcers, fall risks, and other issues. This can be identified by verbal and non-verbal cues such as:
- Increased pain
- Increase in use of pain and psychotropic medications
- More time spent in bed, inability to socialize (resulting in isolation and depression)
- Postural changes such as slumping, sliding and lateral lean while seated
- Increased symptoms such as; swelling of the upper and lower extremities, numbness of the upper and lower extremities, back pain and hip pain
Broda Wheelchairs vs. “Geri” [Geriatric] Chairs
Broda’s products are not geri chairs or furniture. Broda products are classified as Durable Medical Equipment. The FDA’s Department of Health and Human Services classifies Broda wheelchairs under the Medical Device category as Class I Mechanical Wheelchairs (Product Code IOR; Regulation Number 890.3850).
The Veteran’s Health Association’s Prosthetic Clinical Management Program (PCMP) validates the clinical use of Broda products as Manual Wheelchairs with Tilt and Recline Combination Seat Functions.
In Ontario Canada, the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) registers Broda’s products as Adult Manual Dynamic Tilt Wheelchairs.
Broda’s wheelchairs provide safe, comfortable long-term seating that can dramatically reduce the number of falls that residents face.
Broda offers tilt, recline and legrest adjustments that are operated by gas cylinders. The cylinders help to reduce the amount of lifting force required by caregivers, thus contributing to safe, frequent repositioning while reducing the risk of injury to the patient and caregiver.
Both the Synthesis Positioning Wheelchair and Midline Positioning Wheelchair provide a full recline position which allows individuals to rest in the chair and allows caregivers to change incontinence products while the individual remains in the chair.
The Synthesis Positioning Wheelchair and other Elite Wheelchair models have removable wings (upper supports) and swing away/removable arms, which allow for safe and effective slide transfers. The footrest flips up accommodating safe stand pivot transfers as well as allowing the use of patient lifts.
The legrest extends independently with the recline function of the Synthesis Positioning Wheelchair. The independent elevating legrest helps the individual maintain their position as they are being positioned and repositioned throughout the day.
Broda’s wheelchairs work well with most mechanical lifts. When using the deep wedge infinitely adjustable seat tilt, you can accommodate various positioning needs. The combination of tilt and recline helps most flexion limitations and postural deviations such as but not limited to, slumping, sliding, falling forward, lateral lean and head drop.
Broda’s wheelchairs provide supportive positioning through a combination of tilt, recline, adjustable legrest angle, wings with shoulder bolsters and height adjustable arms. Supportive positioning decreases postural deviations enhancing patient safety while facilitating safe, frequent repositioning throughout the day.
The Synthesis Transport Chair allows for safe occupant transport in an accessible vehicle with the ability to keep the individual in the same chair for care and transportation.