Wheelchair Maintenance Guide
Contents
1. problems as well as having your service dealer take care of major repairs Know your equipment and be organized The process of maintaining your wheelchair begins on the day that your new chair is delivered Read your warranty You will be better able to handle problems as they arise if you have the following information and tools available and close at hand Owner s manual Your owner s manual contains valuable information about your wheelchair It describes how to care for your equipment items that are covered under warranty and the tools that you will need for simple maintenance Keep your owner s manual in a safe place and refer to it often for guidance Set of Tools Assemble and store a set of tools that you will need to have on hand for maintenance and emergencies The following items can be with you in a pouch or box e Phillips and flat head screw drivers e Allen wrench set ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 1 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030 ACCESSMEDICAL Mobility Moving Forward e Crescent wrench e Spoke wrench e Tire repair kit Information amp Phone Numbers Prepare a card or notepad that lists important information and phone numbers for emergencies This card can be laminated and concealed in the chair to provide security for children or other vulnerable individuals The information should contain the following at a minimum e Your name and spouse relative other2. A ACCESSMEDICAL Mobility orward is dropped off we can diagnosis and order parts right away If you cannot bring your chair in to our service facility we can help arrange for pick up and delivery In Home Service We can bring our mobile shop and technician to you Customers needing In Home services can expect a service technician to be available within 7 to 10 business days Customers residing outside our immediate service area will be scheduled for the first available route These routes vary by location please call for details at 760 929 2828 Warranty Returns Access Medical honors all Manufacturers warranties on parts for the products we sell Warranty claims are processed according to manufacturers guidelines and in accordance with the law Labor charges may apply to replace specific warrantied parts Returns are accepted on equipment determined to be unsuitable at the time it is fitted rented or sold FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS How can I transport my power wheelchair Some power wheelchairs are easily dissembled and can be placed in the trunk of a vehicle These pieces tend to be heavy and difficult to lift It is suggested that you purchase a wheelchair lift or wheelchair ramp for access to your vehicle Do I need an appointment when visiting Access Medical In order to provide you with fast superior service we recommend that you call us at 760 929 2828 to schedule an appointment with our trained technicians
3. Practical Advice ALL WHEELCHAIRS DO DON T e Check your tire pressure inflation guidelines are on the outside of the tire e Inflate your tires with a hand pump or bicycle pump e Check to be sure that your wheel brake does not rub against the tire e Wash the upholstery lightly with soapy water at least monthly e Check nuts bolts and screws weekly and tighten as needed e Check the front casters to see that they turn and pivot properly If caster nut is too tight it will flutter move quickly from side to side if it is too loose it will make the chair difficult to steer e Check your wheel alignment Glide the rider less chair on a smooth surface if the chair veers to either side report it to us at 760 929 2828 e Inspect your chair for cracks in the frame these should be reported immediately Do not inflate tires at a gas station the high pressure can damage your tires Do not wash your chair in the shower or at a car wash excess moisture can rust parts Do not attempt to oil the bearings on your chair this requires a technician Never use petroleum based oil to lubricate your chair POWER WHEELCHAIRS e Wrap aclear plastic bag over your power controls if you must travel in the rain e Keep your battery charged If the battery charge indicator is less than plug it in for a recharge Listen to your motor and become familiar with the sounds that it ma
4. ACCESSMEDICAL Mo Mo WHEELCHAIR MAINTENANCE GUIDE We at Access Medical appreciate being your wheelchair provider Thank you Repair service from Access Medical includes the following e Over the phone diagnosis and trouble shooting at 760 929 2828 e Hours of Operation 9 00 AM 5 00 PM Monday Friday e Our Manufacturer Certified Technicians are the highest trained in the industry e We provide an annual 20 point Safety Inspection and battery replacement e Coverage and insurance verification for all repairs e Rental equipment available during major services Maintenance of your new equipment is important to preserving your mobility and independence If your equipment breaks down it can be an inconvenience a hardship and may even put you in danger You can help keep your chair operating and maintained by being knowledgeable about your wheelchair taking care of problems before they put you out of commission and having our phone number 760 929 2828 always available Take charge of the care of your own wheelchair As the owner and operator of your wheelchair you will usually be the first person to notice when your chair is not functioning properly You may not be able to perform the basic daily and weekly cleaning and upkeep yourself but you can set up a routine that can be followed by your caregivers family members or others to monitor your chair for problems To keep your equipment running smoothly you will need to take care of minor
5. HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 7 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030
6. How long will my wheelchair batteries last The older the batteries get the quicker they will die and need charging Batteries tend to last 12 to 24 months before needing to be replaced How often do I need to charge my batteries The batteries should be charged for at least 8 hours at a time If you use an electric wheelchair every day you should charge the batteries every day How often do need to have my wheelchair serviced Your electric wheelchair should have a manual that will outline the basic maintenance Generally an electric wheelchair should be serviced every year to ensure that it is functioning properly ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 6 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030 A ACCESSMEDICAL Mobil ty ving Forward Do you provide warranty service and repair on my wheelchair Yes Please refer to the manufacturer s instruction manual to determine the details of warranty Do you require a doctor s authorization to do a repair Yes Medicare and most private insurances require wheelchair and scooter repair to have documented proof of medical necessity We will work with your doctor to receive a written Rx Do you provide a rental wheelchair if my wheelchair needs repair Yes We are happy to provide a rental wheelchair while we repair yours Availability varies Please check with us to determine if a suitable rental wheelchair is available Will you repair a wheelchair that was not
7. contact person address phone number e Your doctor s name and phone number e Wheelchair make model and manufacturer s toll free number e Our phone number which is on a sticker attached to the frame of your wheelchair e Phone number of the public para transit service or private transport service Maintenance you can perform With innovative design and features today s wheelchairs present fewer potential problems However you still need to be aware of and monitor for common equipment failures Regular maintenance can help extend the life of your chair and reduce the number and cost of repairs Arm Back _ Frame Seat Hand rim Cross brace Axle Foot rest Caster Spoke Regular service includes keeping the chair clean checking tires for wear and air pressure tightening screws and monitoring for worn out cushions pads positioning equipment and other parts If you are unsure of performing a procedure or you encounter a problem contact us at 760 929 2828 ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 2 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030 ACCESSMEDICAL ALL WHEELCHAIRS Keeping your wheelchair clean will not only help keep you healthy and free of infections but it will make it easier to identify equipment problems as they arise To keep your wheelchair clean you can wipe down the surfaces with a damp cloth Use a mild detergent or a stronger cleaner for stains and sticky spots Manufact
8. flex points on your chair Your regular monitoring and maintenance can ensure that your wheelchair is operating safely Your wheel lock needs to be checked to be sure that it engages and releases properly and does not rub against the tire The lock needs to operate in such a way that it can be engaged and released without having to use excessive force Also the casters front wheels can present a safety hazard when they are worn out Check your casters for cracks in the spokes that may eventually cause the caster to collapse POWER WHEELCHAIRS Power wheelchair users can monitor their equipment by ensuring that moving parts are free of entanglements from wires and cords You can also check that all electrical connections are firmly in place and free of dirt and corrosion If you loosen or remove any wires be sure that you reconnect it in the right place Most power chairs will have color coded wiring to help prevent errors An incorrect wiring connection can damage your chair and result in personal injury due to a serious burn Your batteries will last longer and perform better if you are careful to keep them charged ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 3 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030 A CCESS AR a i MEDICAL Keep track of your battery charge indicator and plug in your charger when the gauge shows less than half a charge Check with the battery manufacturer for specific charging information
9. kes You will then notice changes in sound indicating that a belt bearing or other moving part is malfunctioning Don t allow moisture or liquids to come into contact with electronic parts avoid operating in the rain Don t allow your chair to get out of control turn off the power when transferring or when using a wheelchair lift Never allow your battery to discharge run down entirely this may require replacement of the battery Do not leave your power chair or scooter ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 4 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030 A CCESS AN Fo 939 MEDICAL outside in the sun rain or heat for an extended amount of time This can cause rust moisture buildup and wear which can permanently damage your chair e Do not drive your power chair or scooter over gravel rough terrain uneven pavement water grass or mud Doing so can cause damage to the electrical system Understand the cost of repairs and what is covered by your health plan Your wheelchair will operate more safely and efficiently if you work with your service dealer to get essential maintenance performed on your chair regularly To avoid unexpected expenses and misunderstandings it is best if you understand the services that are paid for by your health plan and the services that you will be expected to pay for yourself How repairs are authorized and paid for As a gene
10. purchased through Access Medical Yes It will however depend on the availability of parts to return your equipment to safe and original manufacturer specifications as well as insurance coverage and verification How long does a repair take We always strive to process your repair as soon as possible Repair times vary and depend on many factors such as your insurance coverage parts availability and your doctor s prescription if needed How do I recharge the batteries in my power wheelchair or scooter 1 Charge the batteries in accordance with your user s manual 2 The chair s power cord or off board charger must be plugged directly into the wall Do not plug the cord into an extension cord or surge protector this will reduce the batteries charge ability 3 The power cord must be completely removed from the wall before use If using an off board charger make sure the power cord is also disconnected from the power chair or scooter 4 Batteries must be consistently used and charged Batteries that sit for an extended period of time without being used will lose their charge 5 Do not keep the power chair or off board charger plugged into the wall for more than 24 hours Doing so will reduce the batteries ability to retain the charge 6 If you are planning on using your power chair or scooter throughout the day it is recommended the batteries be charged for at least 8 hours the day before ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY
11. ral rule Medicare and or Medi Cal will not pay for routine cleaning testing or regular check ups of your equipment The following general coverage restrictions apply Medicare Medi Cal Rental wheelchairs the Medicare rental includes service and maintenance charges After 15 months of rental Medicare will pay a fee every 6 months for service or maintenance Recipient or their secondary will pay 20 copay Purchased wheelchairs Medicare pays for reasonable repairs Recipient or their secondary will pay 20 copay Replacement equipment Medicare pays for replacement equipment if there has been permanent damage wear and tear or if your condition changes resulting in a need for new equipment A new prescription and evaluation is required Replacement parts and labor charges are generally covered however most parts require a TAR Treatment Authorization Request TAR is required for any replacement part that is being supplied prior to the expiration of its life expectancy and the entire repair is greater than 250 A physician s order is required for all Medi Cal services of equipment In Shop Service We are delighted to provide excellent In Shop customer service Our certified repair facility is staffed with quality trained technicians and customer greeting waiting areas If equipment ACCESS MEDICAL INC 3274 GREY HAWK COURT CARLSBAD CA 92010 Page 5 PHONE 760 929 2828 FAX 866 533 3030
12. urers often recommend using a car wax on the frame to make regular cleaning easier Use a sharp tool or pick and carefully clean the wheel axle or caster bearing of any accumulation of hair string or other items that can interfere with the rotation of the wheels Check the frame for any cracks or breaks in the metal Any potential problems need to be reported The upholstery also should be monitored for cracks or tears where the fabric folds or where there are screws through the fabric Any problems related to fabric wear will need to be taken care of by our repair department If you rely on a seat cushion check whether it is still providing the padding and support you need Another regular activity is to check all nuts and bolts on the chair to verify that they are tightened except for the cross brace pin If you need to replace any parts be sure that you are using parts that match those that were supplied by the manufacturer and Access Medical Check that all parts that fold swivel pivot and are removable do so easily For example be sure that removable arm rests foot rests and braces etc are working properly The cross brace should fold easily without sticking The center pin should move freely this bolt is never tightened Wheelchairs with reclining backs or tilt mechanisms should recline and return to upright without difficulty Instead of using petroleum oil on your wheelchair use an all purpose silicone lube spray to lubricate the
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