Considerations When Selecting an Alternating Wheelchair Cushion
There are several brands of alternating wheelchair cushions on the market, some can even be found online. At first glance, it may appear that they are all similar, but there are significant differences in construction, effectiveness, reliability and track record. An alternating cushion could impact your health and well-being, and should be researched before you spend money and risk disappointment with an inferior alternating cushion.
Consider the following before choosing an alternating wheelchair cushion.
Physical Properties and Materials
Aquila Corporation uses the finest materials in all of our wheelchair cushions, including but not limited to, the pump, the batteries, the different foams, and the air bladders. Our electronics are state-of-the-art and extremely reliable with built-in safety features. Aquila does not mass-produce wheelchair cushions, because we custom-fabricate cushions designed with the best possible outcome for each client. When custom-fabricating each Aquila Seating System, we take into consideration client: weight, height, diagnosis, pressure sore information, flap surgery history, wheelchair information, other positioning information etc. Aquila cushions are handcrafted one by one per client order form. There are no off-the-shelf wheelchair cushions when you purchase from Aquila Corporation. No two bodies are the same, so no two cushions will be the same.
Aquila wheelchair cushions are the only alternating cushions that are custom-fabricated. No other alternating cushion is custom-fabricated. No other alternating cushion uses the highest quality materials found in the Aquila cushion. We go above and beyond, because we care.
Functionality
Aquila wheelchair cushions alternate and change pressure distribution every 60 seconds. This action ensures perfusion of tissue while proving comfortable for the client.
No other dynamic cushion alternates near as often as an Aquila wheelchair cushion.
Proven Effectiveness
Aquila custom wheelchair cushions have healed pressure sores of all stages, including chronic stage 4 sores, while the client is sitting. Aquila cushions change pressure points every 60 seconds ensuring perfusion of tissue and fighting pressure sores all day long. Remarkable case studies featuring Aquila wheelchair cushions can be found under the “Studies” tab on our website.
No other dynamic cushion has any evidence of healing sores. Other dynamic cushions hold and apply pressure directly to sores, for up to 20 minutes.
Customization
At Aquila we customize every cushion to the specifications and requirements of each client. This customization includes custom offloading, custom shape and layout of bladders, and a selection of substrate materials to achieve the desired effectiveness, support and comfort.
Other dynamic cushions available use cookie cutter bladder rows without consideration for sore location. Aquila wheelchair cushions are the only cushions offering complete customization.
Our cushion electronics are also custom programmed for each user.
Other alternating cushions have a preset range of pressures with no consideration for the customers weight. Aquila Corporation programs three different firmness options based on the weight of the client.
Insurance Coding
Aquila cushions are coded E2609 for Medicare and private insurance. No other alternating cushion has been issued this custom-fabricated cushion code.
Track Record
Our cushions have healed countless pressure sores. Doctors and therapists are continually amazed at the results from our wheelchair cushions.
Aquila has been manufacturing the top performing alternating cushion on the market for 20 years and we continually seek ways to improve our products for our clients.
Clinical Studies and Accolades
Aquila cushions have been involved in several clinical studies and case reports, including a 5-year study at the Cleveland Clinic. Studies and their results have been published in medical journals. We presented at the National Institute of Health and have also won two engineering excellence awards. Aquila Corporation has also been featured in publications for individuals with disabilities several times.
No other dynamic cushion has any clinical studies or case reports.
Science Used in Evaluations
In evaluating our cushions, we submitted cushion samples to a national test lab where they did an 18-month simulated loaded use test. All of our cushions passed the testing.
Sophisticated instruments were used during our 5-year clinical study which compared the effectiveness of our cushions against manual weight lifts. The testing included: Bilateral mean, ischial interface pressure (IP), transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2), and unilateral laser Doppler blood flow.
User Convenience
The Aquila SofTech cushion has all system components incorporated into the cushion base so there is no external control box to mount on the chair. The SofTech includes a wireless remote control, as well as a power switch on the side of the cushion, to operate the cushion. The high-tech battery used in the Aquila cushion has no memory and will operate for over 25 hours on a charge while alternating every 60 seconds.
Other dynamic cushions use external controllers which contain the pump and battery and must be mounted on the chair. Other dynamic cushions are designed to be run from AC power and must be plugged in to the wall during operation.
User Limits
Aquila cushions have no client weight limit or cushion size limitation.
Other dynamic cushions do.
Government Contracts
Aquila wheelchair cushions have been on VA government since 2003. No other dynamic cushion is on VA contract.
Made in the USA
Aquila wheelchair cushions are handcrafted in the USA and have been continually improving for the past 20 years.
Most other alternating cushions are made in China.
Looking at all of the above mentioned, it is clear to see that not all alternating cushions are the same. Choose the proven cushion. Choose the best, Aquila.