Page 68 - Norco Patient Orientation Handbook e-book
P. 68
On wheelchairs equipped with removable arms: Remove the arm closest to the patient before transferring
with a slide board.
Adjust the footrests so that the patient’s knees are level and the thighs are bearing weight.
Cleaning/Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Clean the frame, wheels, tires, seat and back with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth or sponge. Dry with
clean dry cloth or towel. Do not get water or cleaning solutions in wheel or caster bearings. If body fluids or
other potentially infectious material (OPIM) is present, clean with a 1:9 bleach/water solution and allow to
dry for 10 minutes.
If caster wheels will not roll freely:
9 Check/keep correct tire pressure in pneumatic tires, if so equipped.
9 Clean hair or other foreign material from the caster bearing where the wheel attaches to the fork. Caster
wheel bearings should be snug, but wheel should rotate freely without resistance. When adjusting, adjust
both casters accordingly for straight chair operation.
If main wheels/tires will not roll freely or propel the chair in a straight line:
9 Check/keep correct tire pressure in pneumatic tires, if so equipped.
9 Clean hair or other foreign material from the caster bearing where the wheel attaches to the fork. Caster
wheel bearings should be snug, but wheel should rotate freely without resistance. When adjusting, adjust
both casters accordingly for straight chair operation.
If engaged wheel lock does not prevent wheel from turning:
9 Call Norco for adjustment or repair.
Call Norco if for any reason you feel the chair is unsafe, needs servicing, or needs repair.
WHEELCHAIR/SCOOTER SAFETY
Transferring onto and off your powered mobility device requires a good sense of balance. Be sure to have
an attendant or health care professional present while learning to properly transfer yourself. To eliminate
the possibility of injury, verify the following before attempting a transfer:
♦ Be sure the power is turned off.
♦ Be sure that your power wheelchair or scooter is not in free wheel mode.
♦ Make sure your armrests are flipped up or removed.
♦ If you have footrests, flip them up or move the leg rest aside. This keeps your feet from getting
caught on the footrest or leg rest during transfer.
Norco does not recommend power chair or scooter users to be transported in vehicles while seated in their
power mobility device. Personal injury may result.
Your powered mobility device may be equipped with a positioning belt, this belt was not designed with the
intent of providing proper restraint during motor vehicle transport.
It may be difficult for motorist to see you when you are seated on your chair or scooter. To ensure your
safety, always assume you cannot be seen. Wait until your path is clear of traffic and then proceed with
extreme caution.
Powered wheelchairs and scooters are not designed to travel up or down stairs or escalators. Always use an
elevator.
When climbing an incline, try to keep your chair moving. If you must stop, start up again slowly, and then
accelerate cautiously. When driving down an incline, do so slowly and in the forward direction only. If
your chair or scooter starts to move faster than you anticipated or desired, allow the chair to come to a
complete stop by releasing the joystick.
Never wash your power wheelchair or scooter with a stream of water. Keep a plastic bag on the chair to
protect the joystick if you should encounter a rain or snowstorm while using your powered chair outdoors.
