Patient Safety is Paramount:

Developing a Power Wheelchair

Training Guide
Risk Management Training for Allied Health Professionals 2016/17
18 Jan 2017

Dr. Brian AU, PhD

Senior Occupational Therapist
Former Convenor of Working Group on Assistive Technology OTCOC
 Background
• Role of OT
– assessing the needs of patients for assistive technology as
well as subsequent training and prescription of assistive
devices e.g. Power wheelchair (PWC)
Patient’s Points of View
Therapist’s Points of View
 Questions
• What should be considered before offering PWC training?
• How to train the patient to use a power wheelchair
systematically?
• Is there any safety precaution?
• How to determine whether the patient is fit for driving a PWC
independently?
• Any tips in operation and public transportation?
 Content of Training Guide
Consists of 8 key chapters:
• Expected to follow this sequence to teach and train the patients
step by step
• Ch 1: Considering Factors Before Prescribing and Maneuver
Training
• Ch 2: General Safety Consideration
• Ch 3: Power Wheelchair Components
• Ch 4: Indoor Maneuver Skills
• Ch 5: Outdoor Maneuver Skills
• Ch 6: Summary and Checklist of Power Wheelchair Skills

Additional information:
• Ch 7: Specific Operating Knowledge
• Ch 8: Transportation Information
 Operate Power ON/OFF Switch
• Training Task: Press me

– Indicate the position of the ON/OFF switch

– Explain the f(x) of the ON/OFF switch
– Practice the f(x) of the ON/OFF switch
• Rationale:
– An important component
– Understand the f(x) of the ON/OFF switch to ensure
power w/c is operated safely
 Outdoor Skills: Kerb Negotiation
Training Task:
1. Position the power wheelchair perpendicularly to the kerb
2. Drive slowly up and down to the kerb. Pair of the front castors
should go up and down the kerb at the same time and likewise
for the drive wheels
 Recording & Use of Checklist
Basic essential skills for consideration
of PWC prescription:

* Operate power ON / OFF switch

* Driving forward & backward for a
short distance (<2m)
* Drive forward 10m straight line
* Driving backward 5m
* Turning left & right
* Bypass obstacle
* Front parking
* Side parking
* Outdoor level surface
* Threshold negotiation
* Ramp negotiation (going up &
down)
* Kerb negotiation (going up & down)
 Training Workshop on
Power Wheelchair Training
Organized by
Working Group on Assistive Technology, OTCOC
Aim
This training workshop is specially designed for occupational therapists working
in or preparing to provide power wheelchair training to patients.

Objectives
Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to acquire basic
knowledge and skills to teach patients in using a power wheelchair

Target participants
Junior Occupational Therapists who need to or prepare to provide power
wheelchair training to patients
 Acknowledgement
Members of Working Group on Assistive Technology
• Mr. Simon Chan, OTI, KH
• Ms. Jo Wong, OTI, TMH
• Mr. Joseph Cheng, OTI, KWH
• Mr. Terence Wu, OTI, UCH
• Ms. Fiona Wong, Deputized OTI, CCH
• Mr. William Wong, OTII, MMRC
• Ms. Suki Hui, OTI, CCH (Ex-member)
• Ms. Elsa Wong, OTI, PMH(Ex-member)
• Ms. Menda Chau, OTI, WCHH(Ex-member)