Wheelchair-related Falls

Abstract

While much of the research on falls has focused on the ambulatory elderly, little is known about wheelchair-related falls that occur in persons with disabilities. A thorough understanding of wheelchair-related falls would include the demographics, the mechanism and nature of the fall event, and the nature of any resultant injury, including the cost of treatment and long-term sequelae. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current data on wheelchair-related falls and to make recommendations for avenues for improved quality of care and future research to promote patient safety.

Driving Backwards Using a Semi-Autonomous Smart Wheelchair System (DSS): A Clinical Evaluation

“…Drop-offs are responsible for most disastrous and fatal injuries among wheelchair users [13,14,44]. The present architecture of the DSS does not provide reliable solution for the detection of the drop-offs, which limits its operation to modified environments in which drop-offs have been eliminated.…”

“…Even though the benefits of powered mobility are well documented, the safety issues associated with operation of powered wheelchairs often prevents clinicians and rehab practitioners from prescribing powered mobility [12][13][14]. Many researchers have investigated the wheelchair related incidents and injuries in institutional and non-institutional wheelchair users [13][14][15].…”

“…Many researchers have investigated the wheelchair related incidents and injuries in institutional and non-institutional wheelchair users [13][14][15]. A survey of 109 wheelchair users reported 253 incidents occurring within a 5-year period, 27% of which required medical visits and 19% of which required hospitalizations [13].…”

Evaluation of semiautonomous navigation assistance system for power wheelchairs with blindfolded nondisabled individuals

“…The fact that all participants were young and nondisabled may have contributed to the relatively low workload reported for all three conditions. Many researchers have reported on wheelchairrelated incidents and injuries in institutional and noninstitutional wheelchair users [7][8]29]. A survey of 109 wheelchair users reported 253 incidents occurring within a 5-year period, 27 percent of which required medical visits and 19 percent of which required hospitalizations [7].…”

“…Even though the benefits of powered mobility are well documented, the safety issues associated with operation of powered wheelchairs often prevent clinicians and rehabilitation practitioners from prescribing powered mobility [6][7][8]. One obstacle to safely operating a powered wheelchair is impaired vision.…”