The Cleveland Clinic offers a wheelchair and seating clinic. The team contributing to the client’s wheelchair evaluation includes the occupational therapist, wheelchair vendor, rehabilitation technician and, at times, the client’s physician.
During the evaluation, we assess the client’s current functional level, and also take into consideration the client’s medical condition and the environment in which the client will use the wheelchair. Individual needs range from lightweight manual wheelchairs to scooters to high-end power wheelchairs with numerous options including standing assist, tilt in space and recline functions for pressure ulcer prevention and functional enhancement.
Another service at the Wheelchair and Seating Clinic are seating evaluations for individuals who currently have a wheelchair that no longer supports them properly. Wheelchair modifications are made so that the chair is a more appropriate fit and the client is more comfortable. Some clients may have pressure sores from sitting in a wheelchair for long periods. Seating evaluations are performed to determine the most appropriate cushions or wheelchair modifications to allow pressure sores to heal or to minimize the risk of pressure sores.
Rehabilitation Technology Section
The Rehabilitation Technology Section also provides services in seating and mobility. Activities in this area included developing customized seating and body support, wheelchair mobility and prescription with modifications, injury risk assessment of specific job functions and workplace adaptations for disabled workers.
We also produce cost-effective wheelchair seat cushions for in-house patient use throughout the Foundation. These popular cushions are fabricated in our laboratory, prescribed and billed to patients through the nursing and therapy services. These cushions provide a low cost and effective pressure and pain relief system for patients with or at risk for pressure ulcers or low back pain.
Each wheelchair evaluation requires a physician’s prescription for Occupational Therapy.