January Grand Rounds

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, we hosted our quarterly SCI Grand Rounds for the RRTC grant. Dr. Sara Kraft, PT, DPT, NCS, ATP of MUSC's Division of Physical Therapy spoke on “The Seating Interface for the Individual with SCI: Minimizing Risk and Maximizing Function." The four learning objectives were:

1. Identify three reasons to use a wheelchair cushion
2. Identify when a client is at high risk for pressure ulcers
3. Understand the mechanisms of pressure ulcers from the seated position
4. Select which type of cushion interface would be most appropriate for specific clients

In the presentation, Dr. Kraft discussed intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to pressure ulcers, as well as the most common sites for the ulcers. She described the types of patients that are low, moderate, and high risk for pressure ulcers and then presented guidelines to prevent pressure and friction in a wheel chair, in order to prevent pressure ulcers. Dr. Kraft had sample wheelchair support devices and cushions for the audience to visualize and test out and she demonstrated the proper cushioning techniques.

The presentation was very well received by the audience. Sixty four attendees came to the Grand Rounds which included physicians, nurses, PT's, OT's, and PhD research faculty from MUSC, VA Hospital, and Roper Hospital. All attendees were eligible to receive one credit hour of CME credit or CEU nursing credit. Our next Grand Rounds will be in April 2012 at MUSC.