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Course Title: Positioning the Pelvis (.2 CEUs)
Educator: Michelle Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS (Stealth Products)
Description: What is the cornerstone of wheelchair positioning? The pelvis. The position of the pelvis determines the position of the trunk and lower extremities and so achieving and maintaining the optimal position is critical. This course will present common pelvic asymmetries with suggested strategies to address each challenge. Providing as neutral a pelvic position as possible improves overall posture, stability and function.

Course Title: Wheeled Mobility and Pressure Injuries: Equipment Considera􏰀ons and Strategies for the High-risk Client (.1 CEU)
Educator: Sarah Lusto, PT, ATC, ATP
Description: It is well-established through research findings and recent global data that pressure injuries can have a devastating impact on both the individual and the economics of healthcare delivery systems. People who use wheelchairs as their primary mobility device are often at a higher risk simply because they are sittng for long periods of time with less opportunity to change positions and surfaces. As stakeholders on the team, clinicians, equipment suppliers, and funding agencies must be knowledgeable about client risk factors involved, as well as product design characteristics and strategies used to mitigate these risks. Wheelchair seating and bed surfaces, as well as recommendations for best use of these surfaces, must be considered when products are selected as part of an individual’s pressure management program. This 1-hour course will review the science behind pressure injuries and up-to- date research that supports current best practice recommendations. The course will focus on how the wheelchair dependent client’s level of risk impacts the choices of surfaces- within the wheelchair and outside of the wheelchair. Pressure distribution strategies will be reviewed, as well as the role of differing support surface material and geometry characteristics. Participants will be provided with intervention strategy suggestions to incorporate into their daily practice.

Course Title: Making Power Wheelchairs Smarter: Exploring the Continuum of SMART Technology (.1 CEU)
Educator: Lindsey Sharpe, PT, DPT, ATP
Description: Many power wheelchair drivers face a variety of issues related to their independence, safety, efficiency, and accessibility as a result of impaired motor control, visual deficits, impaired reaction time, inattention, and various other deficits that are common among wheeled mobility users. In this course, we will discuss the continuum of currently available SMART technologies that can be incorporated into the power wheelchair to address these issues and improve driver safety, confidence, and independence. SMART technology is integrated or retrofitted self-monitoring technology for a power wheelchair that provides enhanced, independent mobility to a wheelchair user, is able to collect and report user health and wellness data, and provides connectivity to integrate with the connected world. Throughout this course, we will explore the need for this type of technology, the currently available technology options on the market, and the people who might benefit from these available technologies.

Course Title: Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs – Current Guidelines, Standards, and Adaptive Equipment Options (.1 CEU)
Educator: Curt Prewitt, MS, PT, ATP
Description: This course reviews updates on current guidelines of transpor􏰀ng children with special needs per the 2019 American Academy of Pediatric Policy Statement. Various child restraint options including infant car beds, vests, car seats, and booster seats will be presented as options for infants and children with special needs including those with risk of airway obstruction, tracheostomy, muscle tone abnormalities, gastrointestinal issues, casts, and challenging behavior. Case studies will be presented to reinforce clinical application of various restraints. Additionally, the importance and necessary components of hospital-based multi-disciplinary child passenger safety programs will also be discussed as a means to increase child safety and prevent delays in hospital discharges. For children with disabilities who are unable to transfer from their wheelchair when traveling in motor vehicles, and the wheelchair serves as the vehicle seating system, a thorough review of ANSI/RESNA and ISO safety standards and transit compliance will be presented. This includes selection of appropriate transit options for wheelchairs (WC19) and seating systems (WC20), as well as securing the wheelchair in the vehicle (WC18) using Wheelchair Tie-down and Occupant Restraint Systems (WTORS).

Course Title: Balancing Function and Independence: Clinical Considerations for Power Adjustable Seat Height and Anterior Tilt (.1 CEU)
Educator: Cameron Sant, ATP
Description: Power wheelchairs are designed to augment function when functional mobility is compromised or lost. However, this is not the only benefits that the power mobility systems can provide. There are critical components of this system that also facilitate or improve the end user’s ability to complete functional activities/ADLs, support their physical and mental health, provide independent repositioning for pressure relief, increase tolerance of the seated position, and increase the overall satisfaction of the equipment. These critical components are known as power positioning devices. While there are several different types of power positioning products on the market, this presentation will focus on the clinical benefits of power adjustable seat height and anterior tilt.

Course Title: Don’t take NO for an Answer – Documentation and Appeal Strategies for Getting your Client the Equipment they Need (.2 CEU)
Educator: Julie Piriano, PT, ATP/SMS
Description: Individuals with chronic medical conditions and long-term disabilities who have a permanent need for a wheelchair and seating interventions require a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of their physical, functional and environmental needs to allow clinicians and ATP suppliers to make appropriate Assistive Technology recommendations for a successful outcome, without delay.

This course will examine the questions outlined in the National Coverage Determination for Mobility Assistive Equipment; provide the clinician with practical tools to incorporate into the evaluation and documentation requirements to mitigate denials and win an appeal should a denial occur.

Course Title: Considering Mobility Equipment As It Relates to Development (.1 CEU)
Educator: Jessica Pedersen, OTD, MBA, ATP/SMS
Description: This course is designed for clinicians to enhance their knowledge and clinical application of the subject matter: considering mobility equipment as it relates to development. As part of this course, we will discuss the application of mobility equipment to support the development of self-initiated movement for function and participation. Additionally, the course will review specific challenges related to children with disabilities or delay, current evidence, and the assessment and prescription of products pertaining to on-time mobility or function desired.

Course Title: Don’t Let Documentation for Cushions be a Pain in the Ischial (.1 CEU)
Educator: Dan Fedor (VGM)
Description: Are cushion denials becoming a pain? How about determining how often a cushion can be replaced? Skin protection and positioning cushions are diagnosis (ICD-10) driven within the claims processing system; however, a qualifying ICD-10 is NOT enough for certain diagnoses, and the lack of detailed narrative in the medical record for a cushion may impact the coverage of the cushion and in certain situations the power base too! This session will outline in detail the coverage for skin protection and positioning cushions, how cushions impact the coverage of a solid seat power base, as well as how often a cushion can be replaced.