Weighing Scale Options For Wheelchair Users

 

Weighing a patient in a wheelchair can’t be done using traditional weighing apparatus. Attempting to weigh an immobile patient can result in serious discomfort for the patient when using traditional means. So, what are your options when it comes to weighing a wheelchair bound patient?

There are several different ways in which you can weigh a wheelchair bound patient if you have the right equipment available to you. The first of these options is to use a wheelchair platform scale.

Wheelchair Platform Scales

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Wheelchair platform scales are a reliable and effective method of weighing a patient. The patient is not required to move onto another chair, or to be in any way discomforted by the process. The patient can be wheeled onto the platform with ease and a reading can be taken instantly. The control panel and readout point is also at a convenient height for the person being weighed.

Naturally, this weight reading includes the weight of the patient’s wheelchair. For this weighing process to be accurate, you need to know the weight of the wheelchair to begin with or use this weighing method to monitor weight fluctuations rather than actual weight.

Medical Beam Scales

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Medical beam scales can be used to slip under the wheels of a patient’s bed or a wheelchair can be rolled onto it. They function in much the same way as a platform scale as seen above, however they offer greater manoeuvrability and the ability to store them in small spaces. Once again, these scales measure the whole patient, including the wheelchair.

Some models are also wireless. This allows a wheelchair user to easily position themselves onto the scales without rolling over or tangling cables – making it easier for the patient and improving the life of the scales.

Chair Scales

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Chair scales are an alternative to the other options. Chair scales also have a huge range of uses outside of wheelchair bound patients, which make them an incredibly useful and versatile tool for any facility. Whilst the patient may have to transfer onto these scales from their current chair, it’s designed for this process to be as comfortable as possible. The side arms lift, allowing the patient to slide themselves onto the chair and the wheels can be locked for a more stable platform.

Transferring onto a dedicated weighing chair scale has the benefit of giving you the genuine and actual weight of the patient, without a chair or bed distorting the numbers. This gives you the ability to monitor not only weight fluctuation, but actual weight.

Hoist Scale

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The final option for weighing someone with limited mobility, in this instance, is a hoist scale. Hoist scales hang from the sealing and the patient sits in a sling. These scales are accurate, whilst taking up an absolute minimum of space and could be ideal for facilities with limited space. However, being slung from a ceiling is not always the most comfortable method of being weight and some patients may object to this method.

Medical Scales

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