Maximizing value from a mobility device can have different implications for different people.
Understanding not only what an individual needs clinically but also what they want to achieve in their mobility environment is integral to proper equipment provision. Solutions that are focused solely on current capabilities may introduce a limiting factor, negatively influencing cognitive and/or physical development.
When fitted properly, the equipment should adequately support the individual’s functional needs while providing the opportunity to achieve their goals, whether those are clinical, physical, social or intellectual. Looking beyond the clinical need, the equipment should allow the individual to build on their capabilities and showcase their individuality.
Seating and wheeled mobility is a very specialized industry with a wide variety of product solutions designed to address a wide range of clinical needs. Identifying the proper application of products without recognizing that each individual is unique and has different goals can lead to inconsistency in meeting expectations for both the end user as well as the equipment provider.
Customization through personalizing the product is a common strategy used in the industry to help ensure that we are addressing both clinical and personal objectives. Sometimes that can be a subtle variation in product design that provides that individual with more range of motion, increased stability or improved posture. Other times it may be a fully customized seating system designed around the specific anatomical measurements of the individual. Stealth’s “Custom Seating” solutions are a great example; providing patient specific configuration through a wide array of easily selectable modifications allows us to create complex outcomes without a huge investment in time.
Once delivered and the equipment is in use, we encounter the next level of value assessment.
- How well does the equipment hold up under real world conditions?
- How much maintenance is required?
- Who will work on my equipment if repairs are needed?
The majority of equipment in the marketplace does require periodic service and repair throughout the lifecycle of the product. Historically, service technicians employed by equipment providers are tasked with much of this effort, but manufacturers are starting to recognize the demand being put on this group and are looking at ways to bridge the gap.
Over the years, we’ve seen product evolution resulting in less moving parts, minimizing welds, tool-less adjustments and countless other design changes geared around making the products easier to use while also making them less susceptible to repair and maintenance.
Another way the industry responds to the service demand is by introducing technology innovations. On the power mobility side of the business for example, we are benefiting from technology-based services like “Interactive Assist” thru Q-Logic, which allows us to remotely evaluate chairs for repair and maintenance, saving money for the provider and more importantly reducing downtime for the end user.
As an industry we put our equipment through extremely stringent testing to ensure that it will not only function safely but also will provide adequate longevity in the process. We are continuously exploring new ways to make our products more intuitive and more user-friendly while working to reduce the likelihood of service or repair calls. The pursuit of improvement is a foundational piece of this industry and the passion we use to continue.
Scott may be reached at scott@stealthproducts.com.
Scott Brown is the national sales and business development manager for Stealth Products LLC. Brown has been working on the manufacturing side of the Complex Rehab Technology industry for 35 years, with a specialization in custom seating solutions. His involvement in research and development projects over the course of his career has contributed to countless products releases, many of which are still actively used in the marketplace today.