A patient with quadriplegia (paralysis of the arms and legs) from a motor vehicle accident six years prior became a long-term skilled nursing facility resident due to chronic, non-healing stage IV (full-thickness tissue loss) pressure ulcers. These ulcers were present on the sacrum and left buttocks for more than ten months. Due to the location of the wounds, he couldn’t sit in his power wheelchair, significantly limiting his functional mobility and ability to attend social events and appointments outside his home. Before the wounds, he was independent with wheelchair mobility throughout his family home and the community but was dependent (100% assistance) for transfers and self-care.
Therapy Protocol
Physical Therapy
- 3x/week x 23 weeks in total, with two short hospitalizations
OmniSWD® Shortwave Diathermy System
- Subthermal diathermy with OmniSWD® over the sacrum and buttocks to increase local blood circulation and promote tissue healing.
Additional Interventions
- Therapeutic activity, bed mobility, and pressure relief techniques with gradual progression of sitting time.
This patient is thrilled to be able to use his motorized chair for community mobility, which will allow him to attend outings with his family and medical appointments. His therapist reports that he has improved quality of life and participates in social activities in the facility due to his return to independent mobility as a result of his healed wounds.
Improve Patient Outcomes with OmniSWD®
With ACP’s integrated, evidence-based clinical protocols, on-screen tuning, and a high efficiency output, the OmniSWD saves therapists valuable time to focus on what matters most – achieving the best outcomes for their patients.
MRK-BLOG-007
A patient with quadriplegia (paralysis of the arms and legs) from a motor vehicle accident six years prior became a long-term skilled nursing facility resident due to chronic, non-healing stage IV (full-thickness tissue loss) pressure ulcers. Due to the location of the wounds, he couldn’t sit in his power wheelchair, limiting his functional mobility. Learn how his care team used OmniSWD® to heal his chronic wounds and improve his quality of life.
