Presented by NuMotion

Presenter: Paul Wilkie PT, ATP

Course description:
In today’s healthcare environment, with decreased length of stays and challenging insurance coverage, it can be difficult to secure appropriate mobility equipment for the clients we serve. The goals of this course are to educate on the different wheelchair base options available, both manual and power, identify key differences within each wheelchair base option, and provide the documentation requirements needed to get appropriate mobility bases covered by insurance. The target audience for this presentation is any healthcare provider who is seeking improved understanding of the differences between standard, non-customized, wheelchairs versus customized wheelchairs and what documentation is required to get customized mobility products funded by insurance.

Course Objectives:

1. Differentiate classifications of manual and power wheelchairs to assist in the identification of appropriate mobility device.
2. List 2 unique qualities offered on a K0005 MWC not available on other MWC’s that promote the user’s ability to participate in their functional activities and daily occupation.
3. Describe at least once clinical consideration for each type of mobility base listed.

Presenter Bio:
Paul graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor’s of Science in PT in 1995.  He  worked as a Physical Therapist at Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation from 1995 to 2001, specializing in SCI and CVA.  In 2001 he decided to switch PT roles and became an ATP and worked as a seating and mobility specialist at Chesapeake Rehab in Charlotte, NC from 2001-2005.  He has been working as a seating and mobility specialist at Numotion in Kansas City, MO since 2005.

Presented by: Quantum Rehab

Presenter: Jennifer Janowicz, PT

Course Description:
This course will examine the questions outlined in the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Mobility Assistive Equipment (MAE) as well as the coverage criteria detailed in the Medicare Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for manual wheelchairs and power mobility devices. This framework will provide clinicians with the tools necessary to effectively evaluate and document the medical need for MAE intervention; assist the supplier ATP in matching an individual’s identified needs to the technology interventions, and assist reviewers, and billing personnel in reading and interpreting the information in the record to determine when to provide the equipment that is recommended.

This course will also aim to discuss the clinical reasoning behind device selection and options available based on the above criteria. Participants will be given the hands-on experience of driving a group 3 power wheelchair with the goal to educate on the more complex rehabilitation power mobility options available for those who are appropriate end users per coverage criteria. This course will cover the various drive wheel configurations to consider their functional impact when considering such devices for end users needs and environments for clinicians and supplies to make the most informed decision.

Objectives:

1. Describe differences between the manual and power mobility options based on their key features and code sets​
2. Distinguish the key differences between a group 2 and group 3 power wheelchair  listing at least 2 primary distinguishing features​
3. Identify 3 medical conditions that may require intervention with mobility assistive equipment

Presented by: Mobility First

Presentor: Jennifer Jancowicz, PT, DPT

Course Description:
This course will examine the clinical decision-making process and algorithmic approach to mobility assistive equipment trial and recommendation. This course will also serve as a review of preventative therapeutic use of powered seating features that allow end users increased independence not only in daily activities but also in the importance of medical management when caregiver and therapy resources may be limited. The use of powered features will be reviewed in regard to management of frequent co-morbidities and medical conditions such as: orthostatic hypotension, edema, contracture/tone management, pressure injury prevention, and the application of positioning components that can aid in decreased the complications of skeletal deformities over time. Many times, end users may be overlooked for their potential of meeting power wheelchair criteria that could provide them increased functional independence and control within their environments and to help be a part of preventing further medical complications. It is known that over 60,000 people in the United States die each year from pressure injuries alone and we know that utilization of pressure re-distribution for those lacking sensation and independent mobility can reduce this by giving the user control of their repositioning.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the significance of 3 power seating features and positioning principles in the evaluation and recommendation process​
2. Describe 2 medical conditions that may require intervention with mobility assistive equipment​
3. Identify 2 power seating functions recalling what medical management/prevention application it serves

Presenter Bio: (Quantum and Mobility First) Jennifer Janowicz, PT, DP

Jennifer Janowicz is a seasoned physical therapist with 14 years of clinical experience,

specializing in pediatric therapy. Her extensive background spans rehabilitation, acute care, and outpatient services. Jennifer dedicated herself to supporting children and their families with complex seating and mobility needs at Shriners Children’s based out of Salt Lake City, Utah. Currently, she is an educator at Quantum Rehab, where she passionately shares her expertise in mobility and seating solutions.

Presented by: Permobil

Presenter: Sarah Lusto, PT, ATC, ATP

Course description:
Assistive technology features embedded in power wheelchair electronics play a crucial role in communication, function, access, and community. However, while forms of this technology have been available for years, recently there has been both growing awareness of the relationship between technosocial and wheelchair seating and mobility goals and a greater emphasis by wheelchair manufacturers looking to expand the capabilities of their products and compatibility with consumer technologies.

This presentation will cover essential aspects of the wheelchair provision process in the context of assistive technology integration. There will be special emphasis placed on creating an optimal match between individuals and their technology through an individualized needs-based assessment that includes consideration of access methods for controls and switches, power wheelchair electronics capability and compatibility, and seating and positioning.

Participants will gain practical knowledge of various technology access methods including infrared control, Bluetooth connectivity for mouse emulation and switch control, and Environmental Control Unit applications. Setup examples of phone, tablet, and computer access will be used to highlight some of the key considerations when transitioning between internal wheelchair technology and external device access.

Objectives:

1. Identify at least 2 ways Assistive Technology integration aligns with the wheelchair provision process to help achieve an individual’s technosocial goals.
2. Describe 3 clinical and/or equipment related considerations for drive control and switch access as they relate to Assistive Technology integration.
3. Discuss 2 aspects of the relationship between technology access methods and wheelchair electronics and how it impacts decisions about wheelchair programming and setup.
4. List 2 key features each of Bluetooth, ECU, and IR technology access methods.

Presenter bio:
Sarah is a physical therapist and the Regional Clinical Education Manager for Permobil in the Mountain Region. Prior to joining Permobil in 2021, Sarah worked at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation where she served as the inpatient wheelchair team lead and a member of the outpatient wheelchair clinic. She has lectured for numerous Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Medical Residency Programs and was a faculty member for Kessler’s PT Neuroresidency program. She has also presented at ASCIP, RESNA, and the International Seating Symposium. In addition to her education in Physical Therapy and Sports medicine from Quinnipiac University, Sarah has completed a postgraduate certificate program in Disability Studies from the University of Maine.

Presented by: Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute

Presenter: Amy Wilson, PhD, MT-BC

Course description:
Hope is a psychological strength that leads to resilience. The EMPOWER music-based intervention was designed to increase expiration for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and incorporated components to address hope. Results from a pilot study will be shared including hope and respiratory outcomes. A theoretical model of hope in the context of music therapy will be shared along with benefits of singing for respiratory health.

Objectives:

1. After participating in this session, attendees should be able to describe the rationale and application of music-based interventions for respiratory health.
2. After participating in this session, attendees should be able to identify cognitive and emotional aspects of hope for adults with COPD.

Presenter Bio:
Amy is a music therapist at Saint Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute. Dr. Wilson studied piano performance at Oklahoma State University. Her interest in hope and music therapy began at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2005 and continues with her current work in rehabilitation. Dr. Wilson has been a board-certified music therapist since 2007. She proposed and developed the first music therapy position at Saint Luke’s Hospice. Dr. Wilson has clinical experience in hospice, behavioral health, and with bereaved children. In her doctoral studies at the University of Kansas, Dr. Wilson began a line of research studying the role of music-based interventions on hope in adult medical populations.