Table 2.

Wheelchair-related change events and associated risks

Selecting the wheelchair
Change event	Potential risks
Initial selection	Clinician’s wheelchair selection is in conflict with participant’s needs and/or wants
Tacit knowledge	Participant’s tacit knowledge about his or her needs may or may not be communicated to person ordering the wheelchair
Adapting to a new wheelchair	Participants may need a period of time to adjust to a new wheelchair
Integrating the wheelchair into daily life
Change event	Potential risks
Lifestyle factor: wheelchair adjustments	Participant making adjustments that change the seating dynamics
Lifestyle factor: unusual uses	Using wheelchairs for purposes they were not designed for
Lifestyle factor: trading health for enjoying full participation	Staying long hours in the wheelchair to accomplish goals
Malfunctions	Malfunctioning equipment may directly or indirectly increase pressure ulcer risk
Problems in context	Using the wheelchair in novel environments