ST1289: RehaGuard: An Integrated Rehabilitation Wheelchair System For Remote Patient Monitoring And Pressure Ulcer Prevention

WONG GUAN CHENGG POLITEKNIK SULTAN SALAHUDDIN ABDUL AZIZ SHAH

Elderly patients recovering from hip fractures often face long periods of limited mobility, which require continuous wheelchair use and increase the risk of secondary problems such as pressure ulcers, poor blood circulation, and safety issues when patients are left unsupervised. Most existing rehabilitation wheelchairs mainly provide basic mobility support and do not adequately address continuous patient monitoring, pressure management, or rehabilitation assistance. The objective of this study is to design and propose an enhanced rehabilitation wheelchair that improves patient comfort, safety, and monitoring during long-term use. The proposed innovation integrates pressure-relief back support, an anti-decubitus seat cushion, a rehabilitation pedal unit for passive lower-limb movement, an emergency alert button, and a camera with tablet interface for remote visual monitoring. These features support pressure redistribution, posture stability, improved blood circulation, and timely caregiver response during emergency situations. The proposed design offers clear benefits by reducing the risk of pressure ulcer development, supporting passive rehabilitation activity, improving patient safety, and reducing caregiver workload while remaining practical and cost-effective. In conclusion, the enhanced rehabilitation wheelchair provides a patient-centred solution that addresses both clinical and functional challenges faced by elderly hip fracture patients and serves as a strong foundation for future prototype development and clinical evaluation.

Keywords: Rehabilitation Wheelchair, Remote Patient Monitoring, Pressure Ulcer Prevention, Elderly Rehabilitation, Mobility Aid Design