VICAIR Pommel Cushion O2 Wheelchair Cushion User Manual

VICAIR Pommel Cushion O2 Wheelchair Cushion

1 VICAIR® POMMEL CUSHION O2 USER MANUAL

Dear customer,
Thank you for choosing a Vicair® product. We are sure you will appreciate the simplicity, reliability and fantastic effect. For quick installation you can use the Quick Installation Guide provided with your cushion. In addition, please read and understand this user manual before use.
For more information or to (re)order manuals, contact your country’s distributor.
Go to vicair.com for distributor information.

INTRODUCTION

The Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 is a wheelchair seat cushion supplemented with medial thigh support, hereafter referred to as Pommel, that provides a very high level of skin protection for persons with a high risk of developing pressure injuries. It is also a high performance addition to a pressure injury treatment plan (stage I-IV). The Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 is machine washable without removing the SmartCells!

INDICATIONS

It is used to improve the body-posture of asymmetric persons, to prevent pressure injuries and to provide comfort and stable body support.
It is also a high performance addition to a pressure ulcer treatment plan (stage I-IV).

CONTRAINDICATIONS

When used as intended, there are no known contraindications.

MAIN COMPONENTS

1. Cushion cover
2. Cushion
3. SmartCells™
4. Quick Installation Guide

**GENERAL PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

**

Alternative cushion covers:
Incotec Cover: Top: Knitted Polyester fabric, coated with fluid resistant breathable polyurethane. Bottom: Polyester fabric with polyurethane anti-slip coating.
All covers: Machine washable. Covers comply with EN1021-1, 1021-2 and CAL117.

PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

A Vicair wheelchair seat cushion may only be used as a wheelchair seat cushion. The use of this product in any other way is considered to be misuse. Vicair B.V. cannot be held responsible for damage caused by misuse, improper use or negligence. Make sure that you read and understand this manual completely. Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends installing the Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 under direct supervision of a therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.

• Warning! Your tailbone and pelvic bones should not touch the bottom of the cushion. Checking for “bottoming out” should be done during first use and after adjustments to the cushion filling.
• Warning! Check your skin regularly for redness, especially during the first few days. If redness occurs and does not disappear after 15 minutes, consult your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Warning! In case of soiling with body fluids, and when transferring the product to another user, the product must be disinfected to avoid cross-contamination.
• Warning! Every three months, check the product for wear and deflated cells. In case of serious damage or a large number of deflated cells, do not continue to use the product. Consult your Assistive Technology Professional. Caution! Do not use or leave the product close to a naked flame or a high-temperature heat source.
• Caution! Do not steam clean or autoclave the product. The product cannot withstand excessive heat or pressure. When the given cleaning instructions are not followed, it is very likely that the product and/or the product’s cover will age more rapidly.Caution! Do not use aggressive or abrasive cleaners, or sharp objects to clean the cushion or Pommel.
• Caution! Do not place the topside of the Vicair cushion against the glass of the washer door. Caution! Make sure the cushion cannot interfere with the wheel spokes.
• Caution! Excessive washing may influence the aging of this product.
• Notice! Filling grade may slightly deviate from default (see product label).

INSTALLATION

• Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to install the Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 under direct supervision of a therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Caution! Make sure the cushion cannot interfere with the wheel spokes.
• Notice! Always use cushion and Pommel with cover.
• Notice! Make sure that the wheelchair seat is clean and degreased.
• Tip: When you prefer not to use the hook and loop, you can remove the hook strips. Note that the strips confected to the bottom of the cushion cannot be removed.

Compare Cover
Perform the following steps when using the Comfair Cover or Incotec Cover.
These steps correspond to the installation images 1 – 6 on the Quick Installation Guide:

• Check cushion size. Width (X) of the cushion and seat should match. When the cushion rests against arm supports or side-guards, the width may be up to 2.5 cm (1”) wider. Depth (Y) of the cushion and seat should match.
• Check if the size of the cover matches the size of the cushion.
• Remove the hook strips from the bottom of the cushion. Note that the strips confected to the bottom of the cushion cannot be removed.
• Insert both cushion and Pommel in their respective covers.
• Pass loop through eyelet in cushion cover.
• Close zipper. Make sure to not damage the cushion.
• Remove protective backing tape from selfadhesive hook strips attached to the cushion cover.
• Place cushion by pressing firmly.
• Press loop strips of the Pommel firmly against the hook strips of the cushion cover.
• Sit on the cushion for a few minutes, to allow the cushion to adapt to your body shape.
• If necessary, adjust foot support.

Checking for “bottoming out”:
Image 7 – Quick Installation Guide

• Warning! Your tailbone and pelvic bones should not touch the bottom of the cushion. Checking for “bottoming out” should be done during first use and after adjustments to the cushion filling.
• Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Check for bottoming out, after sitting on the cushion for approximately 5 minutes.
• Let your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional slide a hand between your buttocks and the Vicair cushion while leaning forward.
• Ask your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional to check if your lowest bony prominences are supported by at least 2,5 cm / 1” of SmartCells™. This prevents them from touching the wheelchair seat.
• Do not use the cushion if bottoming out occurs. In most cases, adjusting the filling grade of the compartments will solve the problem.

USE

• Checking for redness of the skin
• Image 8 – Quick Installation Guide
• Warning! Check your skin regularly for redness, especially during the first few days. If redness occurs and does not disappear after 15 minutes, consult your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Adjusting the filling grade
• Warning! Vicair B.V. recommends to adjust the filling grade under the direct supervision of your therapist or Assistive Technology Professional.
• Ready for use
• This Vicair product is ready for use. It has its own unique filling grade, depending on size and model. However – if necessary – the filling grade can be adjusted by removing or adding SmartCells from/to the various compartments. You can find the default filling grade on the label attached to the cushion or Pommel.

Conditions for use and storage
Caution! Do not use or leave the product close to a naked flame or a high temperature heat source.

• User weight:
  Minimum: 15 kg / 33 lbs,
  maximum: 250 kg / 551 lbs

• Temperature:
  Minimum: -20 °C / 4 °F,
  maximum: 55 °C / 131 °F

• Use at high altitude
  Notice! Vicair B.V. recommends not to use the cushion above 2400 m (8000 ft) above sea level or below 50 m (164 ft) below sea level. Because each SmartCell is filled with air, the cushion may behave differently when used at high altitude or in an airplane. Under such circumstances, the cushion’s firmness can be adjusted by removing a few cells from each compartment.

• Air humidity:
  Minimum: 0%, maximum 100%

Daily fluff-up
Vicair B.V. recommends to fluff-up your Vicair cushion before use on a daily basis.
Use of Vicair seat cushions in motor vehicles Whenever possible, transfer out of the wheelchair and into a car manufacturer-installed vehicle seat without the cushion, and use the vehicle’s crash-tested occupant restraint system.
As an alternative for your Vicair wheelchair cushion, the Vicair Allrounder O2 (which can be fastened to the user’s body) can be used if you require additional protection in a manufacturer-installed vehicle seat during transportation. When the wheelchair is used as the vehicle seat, the applicable rules and regulations with regard to securing the wheelchair and the wheelchair user during transport should be followed.

There is no data available about the influence on safety of a Vicair wheelchair cushion used in a crash-tested wheelchair. Re-use – Transferring the product to another user The product is suitable for repeated use. The number of times it can be used depends on how often and in which way the product is used. The product has to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, before another person is allowed to use it. See chapter ‘Maintenance and cleaning’ for instructions.
Notice! Make sure the product is correctly adjusted to the other person.

Expected lifetime
The expected lifetime of this product is five years when used in accordance with the safety instructions, maintenance intervals and correct use, stated in this manual. The effective lifetime can vary according to frequency and intensity of use.

Replacing the cushion cover
Under normal use, Vicair B.V. recommends to replace the cushion cover every year. Replacement covers can be purchased separately.

Disposal
The disposal and recycling of used devices and packaging must comply with the applicable legal regulation. Ensure the product is cleaned prior to disposal to avoid any risk of contamination.

MAINTENANCE AND CLEANING

Warning! Every three months, check the product for wear and deflated cells. In case of serious damage or a large number of deflated cells, do not continue to use the product. Consult your Assistive Technology Professional.

• Caution! Do not steam clean or autoclave the product. It cannot withstand excessive heat or pressure. When the given cleaning instructions are not followed, it is very likely that the product will age more rapidly.
• Caution! Do not use aggressive or abrasive cleaners, or sharp objects to clean the cushion. Caution! Do not place the topside of the Vicair O2 cushion against the glass of the washer door.
• Caution! Excessive washing may influence the aging of this product.
• Cleaning the Vicair Pommel Cushion O2
• Cleaning the Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 cushion cover

The cushion cover can be machine washed. Follow the washing instructions on the label attached to the inside of the cover.
(60 °C=140 °F)

Cleaning the Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 cushion

Your Vicair O2 cushion and Pommel can be machine washed at 60 °C/140 °F using an anti-crease cycle and mild detergent. You do not need to remove the SmartCells before putting the cushion and Pommel into the washing machine. Make sure the topside of the cushion is not placed against the glass of the washer door. Do not load the machine with more than half of its maximum load weight. Spin speed should be reduced. When using a machine with agitator, make sure that the cushion can move freely within the drum. Do not use any chlorine bleach and do not dry clean! Do not tumble dry your Vicair O2 cushion but let it air dry (5-6 hours). You can use the sling to hang dry your Vicair O2 cushion.

Disinfecting your Vicair Pommel Cushion O2 Warning! In case of soiling with body fluids, and when transferring the product to another user, the product must be disinfected to avoid cross contamination. Clean the cushion, Pommel and covers as instructed above. Preferably use an antibacterial detergent. After cleaning spray your cushion, Pommel and covers with a disinfectant. Bend compartments outwards to make sure the spray gets into the gaps.

REPORTING OF SERIOUS INCIDENTS

Serious incidents from use of Vicair products should be reported to the manufacturer and the relevant competent authority.

WARRANTY

Please see www.vicair.com for complete information on warranty processes, terms and conditions.
Vicair B.V. offers a limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials, provided the product has been used normally. Any damage arising from abnormal use, or caused by improper handling, cleaning, or negligence, is excluded from this warranty.

Warranty period
From original date of purchase: 24 months. The SmartCells in this Vicair O2 cushion have a lifelong warranty period. Should a defect in materials or workmanship occur within the above mentioned warranty period, Vicair B.V. will – at its own choice – repair or replace the product free of charge. The cushion cover is excluded from this warranty. Remedies for breach of express warranties herein are limited to repair or replacement of the product.
In no event shall damages for breach of any warranty include any consequential damages or exceed the cost of non-conforming goods sold.

Any questions?

Contact Vicair B.V. at info@vicair.com or contact your country’s Vicair distributor.

References

• Wheelchair Cushions high quality - Vicair - optimal protection and comfort
• Wheelchair Cushions high quality - Vicair - optimal protection and comfort

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