Differences between manufacturers in reported power wheelchair repairs and adverse consequences among people with spinal cord injury

Objective: To compare the frequency of power wheelchair (PWC) repairs and consequences experienced over a 6-month period by individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk, based on manufacturer, seating functions, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) group, and model, and over time.

Design: Convenience observational sample survey.

Setting: Spinal Cord Injury Model System centers.

Participants: Individuals with SCI (N=945) who use a PWC ≥40h/wk.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measures: Number of required wheelchair repairs and resulting consequences (ie, being stranded, missing work/school, or missing a medical appointment).

Results: Rates of required repairs (47.6%-63.3%) and consequences (26.7%-40.7%) were high across manufacturers. Differences between manufacturers were found among PWCs without seating functions (P<.001-.008) and among group 2 wheelchairs (P=.007). Across the 10 most prescribed wheelchairs in this study, 54.5% to 73.9% of users required 1 or more repairs over a 6-month period. Increases in the number of repairs were also found for several PWC manufacturers with time. Differences were found in participant age, working status, years since injury, and presence of seating functions between manufacturers.

Conclusions: The differences found in the number of repairs reported by survey respondents based on PWC manufacturer and the increases in repairs over time require further evaluation.