Not a Lightweight Decision
By Paleg, Ginny, MS, PT; Rehab Management,Publication Date: April 2007
Article presents scenarios describing 6 common mistakes made in the prescription of ultralight and lightweight wheelchairs and offers rehabilitation providers suggestions for a better approach. The mistakes include: (1) not prescribing an ultralight wheelchair for a totally independent client who can do just as well with a lightweight chair; (2) choosing a lightweight, instead of an ultralight, chair for an independent client who can lift their own chair in and out of the car; (3) assuming an ultralight wheelchair has to be made form titanium to be the best quality; (4) buying heavy add-on options and putting them on an ultralight wheelchair; (5) not using the correct language in the letter of medical necessity; and (6) thinking that manufacturers are reducing their research and development commitment to ultralight chairs because of decreased Medicare funding.
Published by: Ascend Media LLC (Website:http://www.ascendmedia.com)
Link to text: http://www.rehabpub.com/issues/articles/2007-04_04.asp?mode=print&
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number J52888
