Open Forum

Does anyone have a procedure for Assisting patients in clinic with transfers and wheelchair mobility around the clinic we were working on creating one but I was wondering if people have any ideas on this or if they feel one is even needed. Is this implied in the work we do at an ambulatory clinic therefore does not need to be address in a formal procedure? Let me know your thoughts. 

Thank you in advance. 

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Inga Fane RN
Medical Service Consultant
Access Community Health Centers
Madison WI
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Hello - this is a topic that I myself researched about a year ago. According to the ADA, persons who identify as disabled are entitled to receive the same quality of care as someone who can climb onto an exam table themselves. If you perform procedures in your office that are ordinarily done with a patient laying supine, an EKG for instance, you cant simply do a version of the procedure  while the patient  is seated in a wheelchair because you don't have the necessary equipment or skills to move them to a table. We are obligated to ensure that medical equipment is not a barrier to equitable care. Here is a link to a thought-provoking web page: ADA.gov - Accessible Medical Equipment

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Heather Dougherty
Clinical Operations Manager
Ascension
Ellicott City MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 5/3/2024 9:28:00 AM
From: Heather Dougherty
Subject: RE: Assisting patients in clinic with Transfers and wheelchair mobility around the clinic

Hello - this is a topic that I myself researched about a year ago. According to the ADA, persons who identify as disabled are entitled to receive the same quality of care as someone who can climb onto an exam table themselves. If you perform procedures in your office that are ordinarily done with a patient laying supine, an EKG for instance, you cant simply do a version of the procedure  while the patient  is seated in a wheelchair because you don't have the necessary equipment or skills to move them to a table. We are obligated to ensure that medical equipment is not a barrier to equitable care. Here is a link to a thought-provoking web page: ADA.gov - Accessible Medical Equipment

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Heather Dougherty
Clinical Operations Manager
Ascension
Ellicott City MD
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