Aidacare - Healthcare Equipment Solutions>

  

Table of Contents

1. News 
2. Workshops & Seminars
3. Views from the Field 
4. Product News
5. Feature Product
6. Dates for the Calendar

News

SPECIALITY EQUIPMENT RENTAL

Download PDF Flyer

We are very excited about this initiative. The CASE are now able to offer some specialist equipment rental. Specialised equipment coupled with our experienced CASE staff means we can provide a hire option that provides the client a suitable seating and mobility solution. We are able to offer Power Chairs with options such as power tilt, power elevating leg rests, speciality controls. The popular Quickie IRIS tilt-in-space chair is also available. We are offering a hire option on our Matrix III Back and also Paediatric Equipment. In each instance, a CASE team member will work with you in setting up and fitting the items. For more information, click here. For further details and pricing, speak to your CASE rep or contact Daniel Newitt on 03 9384 7035 or via email dnewitt@lifehealthcare.com.au.

CHRISTMAS ORDERS

I know it seems too far away to think about, but the Christmas is only 15 weeks away. If you have a client who is wanting to have their new chair before christmas, start your trials NOW. By the time you assess your client, do trials, apply for funding and get an order to us, it will be very close to christmas. The manufacturers will have cut-off dates for orders to come in before christmas, usually around early november. We really need to receive orders by the end of October, early November (at the latest) to have any chance of getting the client his/her chair in time.

Workshops & Seminars

Only a few more places left for our next workshop.

September 24^th 2009  

PRESSURE MAPPING: Using pressure mapping devices in equipment provision. This practical workshop is aimed at clinicians and care managers. It will focus on the complex nature of Pressure Ulcer development, and explore a problem solving approach to their clinical assessment and management. Following an interactive discussion on the theory and aetiology behind Pressure Care and Pressure Mapping, attendees will be lead through a hands-on practical session using the X3 Pressure Map system, and equipment from the Roho and Jay range. This workshop will give you an appreciation and understanding of why and when to use pressure mapping devices, how to ensure your equipment is prescribed and set up correctly, and alert you to the real dangers of incorrectly prescribed equipment. You will learn how to interpret pressure map readings in association with your clinical observations, and how to translate these findings into pressure care equipment prescription and setup.·          

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – we are hoping to run another pressure care seminar in November this year. We have ran 2 of these already this year but unfortunately some people missed out, so we are running another. Date not confirmed yet. Watch this space. 

Views from the Field

A client asked a colleague the other day when would we move away from a "supportive" backrest with lots of lateral support into a less supportive style of backrest.  Great question and it got us thinking.  Generally we like to see plenty of sustained and active upper thoracic extension against gravity before considering a backrest with reduced lateral support.  This is because gravity is a powerful force on the body, and anyone who is unable to sustain good extension over time will, by definition, move into a more flexed position:  this then has the effect of unlocking the spine and allowing lateral flexion to occur, leading to prolonged asymmetry and eventual compensatory musculoskeletal changes if they are sitting in the chair for long periods. 

To encourage trunk extension you can certainly help out your client by offering anterior support such as a harness, adding a tray or armrests to give them something to use their arms to push against , or changing the seating angles.  However none of this will manually prevent the thoracic flexion that unlocks the spine and allows the lateral lean to start - the client needs to be able to actively sustain the upright position. The most effective strategy to recover extension once someone has fatigued is to add tilt, to allow the wheelchair user periods in a gravity-assisted position. Or of course, hop out of the chair and do something else - a strategy we use a lot for kids, when we don't want to load up their chairs with too much weight and bulk. 

If tilt is a bit of overkill but you still want to allow or encourage the wheelchair user in periods of more active trunk work, in the chair, with reduced lateral support, consider a backrest system with swing-away lateral supports.  As opposed to the traditional contoured rehab backrest with built-in sides, a swing-away lateral system is very effective at providing more targeted trunk support that can then be reduced, changed or even removed at a later date - a great option for anyone who is growing, or who is likely to change over time. 

Product News

Roho is now offering a new "mid-profile" cushion with 75mm high cells.  This new Mid Profile Select model is available at present only in standard sizes 99, 910, 109 and 1010, for the usual $750.  Obviously the feeling is this may be suitable for customers who need more immersion than allowed by the standard low profile cushion, but who don't want the height that comes with the traditional high profile cushion.  We can offer very limited trials of this item at present and would appreciate your feedback on whether this will be a popular option in the field.   

The Jay 3 Cushion is due to be launched October 1st. Stock has not arrived in Australia yet so we have not had a look ourselves yet. If you want to see the brochure click here. We will keep you posted on when stock will be available to look and trial. 

Feature Product

 

Product Overview

SEPTEMBER

Tuesday 1st Seating Clinic GEELONG
Wednesday 9th Seating Clinic ALBURY
Thursday 10th Seating Clinic BRUNSWICK
Thursday 24th Pressure Mapping BRUNSWICK
Thursday 24th Seating Clinic BENDIGO

OCTOBER

Tuesday 6th Seating Clinic GEELONG
Thursday 8th Seating Clinic BRUNSWICK
Wednesday 14th Seating Clinic ALBURY
Thursday 29th Seating Clinic BENDIGO

NOVEMBER

Tuesday 10th Seating Clinic GEELONG
Wednesday 11th Seating Clinic ALBURY
Thursday 12th Seating Clinic BRUNSWICK
TO BE CONFIRMED Pressure Ulcer Prevention Workshop BRUNSWICK
Tuesday 17th Power Wheelchair Supplier Display Day ILC Brooklyn
Thursday 26th Seating Clinic BENDIGO

DECEMBER

Tuesday 1st Seating Clinic GEELONG
Wednesday 9th Seating Clinic ALBURY
Thursday 10th Seating Clinic BRUNSWICK