Initial Cushion setup and adjustment
Usually performed by a trained Therapist
6 simple steps to successful adjustment!
1 Over-inflate the cushion.
2 Position the person as far back in the cushion as possible in a normal sitting position, ensuring armrests and footrests are properly adjusted.
3 Slide your hand, palm-side down between the buttocks and the cushion to locate the patients lowest bony prominence.
4 With your hand still in position, release the valve to deflate the cushion until your hand touches the base of the cushion.
5 Close the valve. This will ensure that approximately 1.5cm of air remains between the patient and the base of the cushion thus avoiding "bottoming out".
The patient will now be "immersed" in the cushion, not on it.
6 Hand-test the cushion regularly to ensure that the correct adjustment is maintained
A few helpful hints ...
- When over-inflating the cushion it's easier to attach the pump to the valve before opening it.
- Inflating the cushion when the patient is sitting on it makes it easier to slide your hand under the lowest bony prominence.
- Small differences in the adjustment will not alter the effectiveness of the cushion as long as the user's LBP does not touch the base of the cushion.
- To find the lowest bony prominence, place hand on users hip and follow down.