by Patrick Boardman
WHERE DO I GET MY WHEELCHAIR REPAIRED IN HOUSTON?
In recent years our industry has greatly changed. Wheelchair users are no longer left with many options on where they can get a new chair or where they can get repairs for their exiting wheelchairs.
In 2007 there were 8 or 9 wheelchair companies in the Houston metro-plex who did customized wheelchairs, seating, and positioning. A large national chain came in and almost all of those companies sold out. The company I worked for was one of those companies and they also sold out in 2012.
As a result, clients have had a terrible time getting new equipment in a timely fashion. In addition clients with existing equipment are receiving terrible service; often waiting weeks or months to get their wheelchair repaired.
With 18 years in our industry I decided to form my own company to solve these issues for clients who have had such a difficult time finding a reputable, experienced company. Thus, Astrum Healthcare was born. Astrum means "heaven or celestial" in Latin and the name seemed perfect for the culture I wanted to create for our new company.
If you have a need for a new chair or repair for your existing equipment, I hope you will consider giving us a try.
We see patients by appointment only and we are located at 13955 Murphy Road, Suite 104 in Stafford Texas. Please call 281-235-0065 for more information or email us at info@astrumhc.com
www.astrumhc.com
Astrum Healthcare is located in Stafford Texas in the heart of Houston. Our wheelchair specialists have years of training in wheelchairs and scooters. Whether you have a Sunrise, Pride Mobility, Invacare, or any other brand, we can help. We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Blue Cross, and many others. We often can even provide a loaner wheelchair to use while your equipment is being serviced. If you are frustrated with poor service, then give us a try. Call 281-235-0065
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Friday, December 6, 2013
Study: Wheelchair Breakdowns Are Increasing Among Consumers with SCI
By Laurie Watanabe
Consumers with spinal cord injuries (SCI) report their wheelchairs are breaking down more frequently than they used to, according to a new study in American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AJPM&R).A research team, headed by Michael Boninger, M.D., University of Pittsburgh's Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, surveyed more than 700 consumers with SCI who used wheelchairs at least 40 hours per week, according to a news release on the study. Survey participants reported on wheelchair breakdowns that required repair, and also reported consequences of those equipment breakdowns - such as missing school or work.
The study reports on data from 2006 to 2011. During that period, 53 percent of the consumers experienced at least one wheelchair breakdown in any six-month period.
That compares to a 45-percent frequency of wheelchair breakdowns reported by consumers with SCI from 2004 to 2006.
Consumers today also reported more repairs were needed - an average of 1.42 repairs per wheelchair user versus 1.03 repairs in 2004-2006.
Power chairs experienced more breakdowns than manual chairs, with breakdowns in powered seating especially high in number.
The study adds that consumers whose wheelchairs were purchased by Medicare or Medicaid experienced more breakdowns and consequences than consumers whose equipment was purchased by private insurance or other payors, including Veterans Affairs or worker's compensation.
Consumers belonging to racial or ethnic minorities suffered higher rates of wheelchair breakdowns and were less likely to have backup wheelchairs to use. "It is possible," Boninger said, "that this increase in the number of repairs is the result of a decrease in wheelchair quality resulting from changes in reimbursement policies and a lack of enforcement of standards testing. This paper should serve as a call to re-evaluate and revise current policies and standards testing for wheelchair prescription in the United States."
AJPM&R (journals.lww.com/ajpmr) is the official journal of the Association of Academic Physiatrists.
Laurie Watanabe is the editor of Mobility Management. She can be reached at (949) 265-1573 or lwatanabe@1105media.com
Friday, March 8, 2013
ATG Rehab & United Seating: We're Now "Numotion"
Article originated from Mobility Management Magazine on February 27th, 2013 by Laurie Watanabe.
LAS VEGAS - At its 2013 National Meeting & Expo, newly merged ATG Rehab and United Seating & Mobility announced the new name for their new company: Numotion.
The announcement took place in front of the unified company's huge force of ATPs. Also on hand were representatives from more than 60 complex rehab technology manufacturers, DME manufacturers, and service organizations who populated the exhibit hall.
Executive Chairman Bob Gouy, formerly the president/CEO of United Seating & Mobility, described the gathering as "a few days of celebration," noting that the company includes "the best of the best ATPs and managers in our industry, which gives us a great foundation to build on."
United Seating & Mobility and ATG Rehab announced on Jan. 3 that they were joining forces. The two companies referred to their new venture as "a merger of equals."
Just seven weeks later, the two providers' rosters of ATPs, as well as both management teams, came together for a three-day meeting at the Bellagio Las Vegas resort.
Gouy said that while working on the merger, "It was really clear we had two really good companies coming together to become a great company."
At the same time, he acknowledged, "Just combining companies doesn't make us a great company. The expectations have been raised for all of us."
A Company Under Scrutiny
Paul Bergantino, Numotion's president/CEO, said of the new landscape, "I see an opportunity to take complex rehab to a whole new level."
At the same time, Bergantino - formerly the president/CEO of ATG Rehab -- said, "This group is going to be watched by clinicians, consumers and competitors."
Those stakeholders, Bergantino said, would be asking if Numotion is too large an entity, and if the company would be able to maintain high-quality customer service.
Prior to the merger, United Seating & Mobility operated 64 offices in 26 states, while ATG Rehab had 63 offices in 30 states.
The key to answering questions about the new company's size, Bergantino added, would be for Numotion to hold onto a "stay small as you grow" philosophy.
"We need to clearly communicate with our clinicians, consumers and each other," Bergantino said, likening the merger to an equation in which "one plus one equals three."
Bergantino and Gouy screened a film introducing the company's new name and its tagline: "Mobility starts here." The film - viewable at numotion.com - shows assistive technology-using consumers at work, in transit, at play and with family and friends, as the narrator points out that seating & mobility equipment provides a number of opportunities, from "nu beginnings" and "nu journeys" to "nu adrenaline" and "nu life."
Gouy added that the core of Numotion's success would be individual employees who operated with autonomy, mastery and purpose as they served consumers with mobility-related disabilities and worked with other members of their healthcare teams.
"What we do every day," Gouy said, "is bigger than any one of us."
Laurie Watanabe is the editor of Mobility Management. She can be reached at (949) 265-1573 or lwatanabe@1105media.com.
Article originated from Mobility Management Magazine on February 27th, 2013 by Laurie Watanabe.
http://mobilitymgmt.com/articles/2013/02/27/atg-rehab-usm-numotion-debut.aspx
Feb 27, 2013
LAS VEGAS - At its 2013 National Meeting & Expo, newly merged ATG Rehab and United Seating & Mobility announced the new name for their new company: Numotion.
The announcement took place in front of the unified company's huge force of ATPs. Also on hand were representatives from more than 60 complex rehab technology manufacturers, DME manufacturers, and service organizations who populated the exhibit hall.
Executive Chairman Bob Gouy, formerly the president/CEO of United Seating & Mobility, described the gathering as "a few days of celebration," noting that the company includes "the best of the best ATPs and managers in our industry, which gives us a great foundation to build on."
United Seating & Mobility and ATG Rehab announced on Jan. 3 that they were joining forces. The two companies referred to their new venture as "a merger of equals."
Just seven weeks later, the two providers' rosters of ATPs, as well as both management teams, came together for a three-day meeting at the Bellagio Las Vegas resort.
Gouy said that while working on the merger, "It was really clear we had two really good companies coming together to become a great company."
At the same time, he acknowledged, "Just combining companies doesn't make us a great company. The expectations have been raised for all of us."
A Company Under Scrutiny
Paul Bergantino, Numotion's president/CEO, said of the new landscape, "I see an opportunity to take complex rehab to a whole new level."
At the same time, Bergantino - formerly the president/CEO of ATG Rehab -- said, "This group is going to be watched by clinicians, consumers and competitors."
Those stakeholders, Bergantino said, would be asking if Numotion is too large an entity, and if the company would be able to maintain high-quality customer service.
Prior to the merger, United Seating & Mobility operated 64 offices in 26 states, while ATG Rehab had 63 offices in 30 states.
The key to answering questions about the new company's size, Bergantino added, would be for Numotion to hold onto a "stay small as you grow" philosophy.
"We need to clearly communicate with our clinicians, consumers and each other," Bergantino said, likening the merger to an equation in which "one plus one equals three."
Bergantino and Gouy screened a film introducing the company's new name and its tagline: "Mobility starts here." The film - viewable at numotion.com - shows assistive technology-using consumers at work, in transit, at play and with family and friends, as the narrator points out that seating & mobility equipment provides a number of opportunities, from "nu beginnings" and "nu journeys" to "nu adrenaline" and "nu life."
Gouy added that the core of Numotion's success would be individual employees who operated with autonomy, mastery and purpose as they served consumers with mobility-related disabilities and worked with other members of their healthcare teams.
"What we do every day," Gouy said, "is bigger than any one of us."
Laurie Watanabe is the editor of Mobility Management. She can be reached at (949) 265-1573 or lwatanabe@1105media.com.
http://mobilitymgmt.com/articles/2013/02/27/atg-rehab-usm-numotion-debut.aspx
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Preventative Maintenance for Your Power Wheelchair
 |
| Permobil C-300 |
by Patrick Boardman
J&R Medical
Houston Texas
713-344-0901
Batteries- Wheelchair batteries are the fuel that make your wheelchair function. Following these simple rules, you can significantly increase the life of your batteries.
5 Battery Rules to Live By:
1. Know the size of the batteries in your power chair, and recognize range limitations.
2. Understand that some uses discharge power chair batteries quicker than others - be aware of how your uses affect your power chair’s range each day, i.e. tilt.
3. Don't abuse your batteries by discharging them beyond practical need.
4. Charge your power chair correctly and completely after each day’s use.
5. Replace older batteries before there's an issue, i.e. noticeable decline in range.
NEVER attempt to recharge the batteries by attaching cables directly to the battery terminals or clamps. ALWAYS use the recharging plug located on the front of the joystick.
DO NOT sit in the wheelchair while charging the batteries.
DO NOT attempt to recharge the batteries and operate the power wheelchair at the same time.
During use and charging, unsealed batteries will vent hydrogen gas which is explosive in the right concentration with air.
Always charge new batteries before initial use or battery life will be reduced.
The useful life of wheelchair batteries is usually 1-2 years depending on the amount of use. Most insurances pay for replacment batteries every 6-12 months so it is a good idea to change them at least once a year.
Preventative Maintenance Checklist-
Inspect/Adjust Monthly
q Clean upholstery and armrests.
q Clean dirt and lint from axles.
q Clean dirt and lint from bearings.
q Ensure that the casters are free of debris.
q Inspect seat positioning strap for any signs of wear. Ensure buckle
latches. Verify hardware that attaches strap to frame is secure and undamaged.
Replace if
necessary.
Inspect/Adjust Periodically
q Ensure wheelchair rolls straight (no excessive drag or pull to one
side).
q Inspect all fasteners.
q Inspect fasteners and hardware.
q Ensure clothing guards are secure.
q Ensure arms are secure but easy to release and adjustment levers
engage properly.
q Ensure adjustable height arms operate and lock securely.
q Ensure upholstery does not have any rips or tears.
q Armrest pad sits flush against arm tube.
q Ensure that the casters are free of debris.
q Inspect foam handgrips for damage. If damaged, have them replaced by
a qualified technician.
q Check center mount front riggings for loose fasteners. Replace
/tighten if necessary.
Following these simple guidelines can dramatically increase the life of your wheelchair. If you are in the Greater Houston area and would like to schedule a service appointment please call us at 713-344-0901 and ask for the service department. Many companies want to sell you a wheelchair but aren't very interested in fixing it. At J&R Medical we are dedicated to providing the highest level of servicefor all of the equipment we sell.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)