Over the last 12-18months we have written several blogs focusing on cushion selection, ISO testing and standards, shear, friction and pressure. We have been seeking to provide you with resources to use within your daily practice when prescribing wheelchair cushions. With so many cushions on the market, we know that it can be easy to prescribe cushions which are familiar or those that have been successful in the past.
To support clinical reasoning, Permobil has released the RERC results for eight of our cushions, focusing on the goals of Skin Protection, Stability and Balance. What makes this data particularly valuable is that it was collected by the independent laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh, as part of a broader research study.
To enhance usability, we’ve broken down the results and included each cushion’s ID, allowing you to easily locate them within the full dataset. From there, we’ve categorised the cushions into higher, typical, and lower priority groups. This approach reflects the importance of considering multiple ISO test results together—rather than in isolation—when aligning cushion selection with individual user goals.
To assist with a common goal of Skin Protection, using the results from the following three ISO tests Immersion, Contact Area and Off-Loading IT’s, you may be able to use the data as a part of your clinical reasoning process to short list potential cushion options. Using ISO tests and the results is not intended to replace clinical reasoning, instead adding an element to your practice. See the table below on how to use the results with the goal of Skin Protection.
Using ISO results as part of your clinical reasoning process can add another tool to your clinical toolbox. Check out the simplified data set and priorities of the cushions here https://hub.permobil.com.au/trust-and-transparency-home and our Trust and Transparency webpage with additional resources.
As always, if you have any direct questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the team.
Ben Gommers, MOccThy (Hons) (OT)
Director Clinical Services
Tilly Brook graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2008 with a Bachelor of Health Science followed by a Masters of Occupational Therapy (Hons) in 2010 from the University of Sydney. Tilly worked within rehabilitation, working primarily with adults with a brain injury until 2015 when she moved to Singapore. In Singapore, she worked with children and adults at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance School (CPAS). In 2017 Tilly’s clinical knowledge continued as she worked with Mobility Solutions in Auckland, New Zealand. On her return to Australia, Tilly assisted in the development of the Clinical Hub Team at Sunrise Medical where her passion and experience for mentoring and educating therapists grew. Tilly Joined Permobil in January 2022 and is driven to grow therapists, enabling them to be the best therapist they can be.