BJTR Product Focus - The Etac Swift and Clean
PRODUCT FOCUS: NORDIC CARE SERVICES 'SWIFT' AND 'CLEAN';
SETTING FUTURE STANDARDS IN DESIGN ?
(extract from British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation,
October 2002, Vol. 9, No. 10)
By Michael Nursey
Increased standards have put
the onus on shower equipment manufacturers to design products
with good hygiene as an integral component. The Swedish
company Etac AB spent four years designing Swift and Clean.
Both products are reviewed with particular emphasis on the
care of people suffering with dementia living at home.
The estimate of the number of people with dementia is around
700,000. 80% of these people live in either their own home
or that of a relative. Increasingly, these people have multiple
physical, cognitive and emotional needs. The need to maintain
cleanliness is not only a necessity but could be argued
as a basic right to dignity. The increasing frailty of both
clients and their carers has led to greater need for the
installation of level access showers for this client group.
Although a shower is not always indicated in every case,
they generally provide a safer and more convenient access
to high hygiene standards to many including those who may
be incontinent at times. Hence shower equipment is required
that can rise to such tough demands but be easy enough to
use considering some carers may also be into their later
years.
'SWIFT'
'Swift' is a modular shower chair/stool, which comprises
of a basic stool, consisting of four oval-shaped aluminium
legs. The ferrules are telescopic, made of strong polypropylene,
and allow for seven different height settings, from 42cm
to 57cm. The aluminium legs slot securely into the seat
and have an orange coloured stud to ensure they are safely
fitted. The seat has a low profile textured surface that
whilst preventing slipping is not uncomfortable to sit on.
Perforations and channels aid drainage from both the seat
and backrest. However, added safety and stability for the
user can be obtained by adding a backrest, and arms, which
clip into place as separate pieces, and can be removed as
required, e.g. in the case of side transfers. The addition
of arms does reduce seat width from 54cm to 45cm. As a shower
stool, clients would need good trunk control and sitting
posture. A backrest and arms would be essential for most
individuals with dementia, especially those with visual,
and/or perceptual difficulties. Particular care would need
to be paid to those users who were in the upper weight limit
of the chair, which is 130kg.
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