Education Center

Wheelchair 3: Pressure Injuries

In this module we define “pressure injury,” describe the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel staging system, and explain the impact of pressure injuries on people who use wheelchairs.  The main causes (pressure and shear) are explained, and a brief interactive activity is included. Important risk factors for pressure injuries are listed and described. Finally, prevention methods involving everyday activities, and methods involving pressure redistribution are provided.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define the term “pressure injury.”
2. Describe the stages of pressure injuries defined by the NPUAP.
3. Explain why a pressure injury is so dangerous.
4. Identify two causes of pressure injuries.
5. Discuss two risk factors that can predispose a person to a pressure injury. 
6. Describe three methods to help prevent pressure injuries.

Course Launched 2017

Kelly Waugh

PT, MAPT, ATP

Kelly Waugh, PT, MAPT, ATP, is a Senior Research Instructor and the Clinic Coordinator at Assistive Technology Partners, a program in the Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Denver, USA.  Ms. Waugh has 32 years of clinical experience as a physical therapist and educator, specializing in Wheelchair Seating & Mobility and Nighttime Positioning. Ms. Waugh has served on the ISO Wheelchair Seating Standards Committee for 17 years, with a focus on the development of standardized measures of wheelchair seated posture and seating support parameters.  She is the primary author of A Clinical Application Guide to Standardized Wheelchair Seating Measures of the Body and Seating Support Surfaces. Ms. Waugh received both her B.A. degree in Human Biology and her M.A. degree in Physical Therapy from Stanford University in Stanford, California, USA.

Jean Anne Zollars

PT, DPT, MA

Jean Anne Zollars, PT, DPT, MA treats children and adults in her private practice in Albuquerque, NM, integrating manual therapy, neurodevelopmental treatment, and seating/mobility.  She is also an instructor for the Barral Institute teaching Visceral and Neural Manipulation. Jean Anne graduated from the physical therapy program at Ithaca College in 1982, was trained in NDT in 1988, and in 1991 received her Masters of Arts degrees in Rehabilitation Technology from San Francisco State University.  In 2014, she received her Post-Professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. She is the author of “Special Seating: An Illustrated Guide, 2nd edition”, published in 2010, and has worked and taught in this field at the Rehabilitation Engineering Center at Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, and in New Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Canada, Ireland, England, Russia, and Mexico.

Barbara Crane

PT, PhD, ATP/SMS, RESNA Fellow

Barbara Crane is a Professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, CT.  She received a BS in Physical Therapy from the University of Connecticut, an MA in Gerontology from Saint Joseph College, in Connecticut, and a PhD in Rehabilitation Science from the University of Pittsburgh, PA.  She is also a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS).  She has over 25 years of clinical experience in adult rehabilitation with a specialty in custom wheelchairs and seating assessment and recommendation.  She has lectured extensively at local, national, and international conferences.

Laura Cohen

PhD, PT, ATP/SMS, RESNA Fellow

Laura Cohen, PhD, PT, ATP/SMS, RESNA Fellow is the Principal for Rehabilitation & Technology Consultants in Arlington, VA. She has more than 30 years of experience working with individuals with complex disabilities of all ages and consulting with a diverse group of healthcare stakeholders. Her experience has provided a rare view spanning direct clinical practice, research, claims review and audits, policy and advocacy.  Being able to directly experience various perspectives has created her passion for developing/implementing models of care that will improve outcomes, resolve delivery of care issues, and reduce the overall cost of care for individuals with complex disabilities. Dr Cohen has multiple peer reviewed publications and presents regularly at professional conferences to a range of stakeholders.

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Wheelchair 3: Pressure Injuries
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. In this module we define “pressure injury,” describe the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel staging system, and explain the impact of pressure injuries on people who use wheelchairs. The main causes (pressure and shear) are explained, and a brief interactive activity is included. Important risk factors for pressure injuries are listed and described. Finally, prevention methods involving everyday activities, and methods involving pressure redistribution are provided. Resources are available in the upper right hand corner of the course.
Course Evaluation
10 Questions
10 Questions Completion of this evaluation will help with the development of additional courses.
Post-Test
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  7/10 points to pass
10 Questions  |  Unlimited attempts  |  7/10 points to pass Must receive a 70% pass rate to receive the CEU/Contact hour certificate
Completion Certificate/CEU
0.10 Contact Hours/CEU credits  |  Certificate available
0.10 Contact Hours/CEU credits  |  Certificate available
ANPT ATSWM SIG Website
Select the "ANPT ATSWMS SIG WEBSITE" button to begin.
Select the "ANPT ATSWMS SIG WEBSITE" button to begin. The ANPT Assistive Technology/Seating & Wheeled Mobility Special Interest Group website has resources, podcasts, fact sheet and handouts.
Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Curriculum
Select the "Wheelchair Curriculum" button to begin.
Select the "Wheelchair Curriculum" button to begin. The Wheeled Seated & Mobility (WSM) Curriculum is designed as a ready to use curriculum for pre-professional PTs and PTAs. It is an education and training package to help prepare the entry level workforce and increase the likelihood students are exposed to a minimal standard of WSM knowledge and skills in the practice of WSM evaluation, prescription, and training to meet the needs of persons with basic level mobility impairments.