Page 27 - Mobility Management, September 2017

Postural collapse can result in compression of the chest, which will affect respiration. Poor respiration and poor posture may increase the risk of pneumonia, through aspiration and inability to clear the lungs productively. Pneumonia can result in death.”
An asymmetrical posture can also cause pressure problems, Hoffman added: “Poor posture and positioning may result
in asymmetry, which in turn may present as deformity with
A small asymmetry today turns into a major asymmetry tomorrow with the potential for physiological impact — Kirsten Davin
unequal loading and distribution of the body on the supporting surface. This may lead to areas developing peak pressures or invariably a pressure injury — which may in turn lead to sepsis and result in death.
“It is that simple — intervention is essential. In fact, it should be deemed as human-rights issue. Everyone has the right to a healthy and safe life.”
So then, the question becomes how to intervene.
“The comfort and function of the consumer will play a role” in any successful intervention, Hannah said. “Can they tolerate support into a new posture?”
“The seating team has a responsibility to ensure that the consumer is seated as appropriately and comfortably as possible,” said Greg Sims, CEO, Matrix Seating USA. “Intervention ultimately is the choice of the consumer or caregivers, but given the choice of being healthier and not deteriorating, most consumers will choose intervention if they can tolerate the methodologies involved.”
Increasingly, those methodologies include the possibilities of combining what used to be opposite perspectives — accommo- dating what used to be called a “fixed” posture while also seeking to intervene and shape its future.
The Adjustable Future of Seating
Adjustability has become a key component of today’s seating systems for complex rehab clients — and adjustability can be tremendously valuable for clients with asymmetries.
Asked if it’s possible to both accommodate an asymmetry to a certain extent and intervene to direct its future course, Davin said, “Absolutely! There are some amazing new, innovative
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