Why choose a commode with an angled rear leg?

Several years ago, a Juvo user in New Zealand experienced an injury while seated in a Juvo. The incident occurred when the user was being pushed from the front of the commode, and the wheel caught on a lip between the bathroom tiles and the carpet. As a result, the commode tipped backwards, causing injury to the head of the user.

An investigation into the cause of the incident revealed two key contributing factors:

1. Incorrect Care Practice: The carer pushed the user from the front of the commode, instead of from the back.
2. Building Safety Standards: The lip between the bathroom tiles and carpet exceeded the safety specifications outlined in New Zealand's building safety standards, creating an unsafe obstacle.

While the commode itself (the Juvo) was not the cause of the injury, this event exposed a serious risk for users of any mobile commode. In response to this incident, the Juvo Solutions research and development team acted swiftly to address the issue by introducing a key safety feature.

The Solution: Angled Rear Leg Design

The design of the commode's rear leg was changed from straight to angled. This subtle but crucial modification shifts the commode's centre of gravity, meaning when the commode is pushed backwards, the angled leg reduces the likelihood of tipping over, thereby increasing user safety. This feature is often overlooked but plays an essential role in preventing accidents, especially when moving the commode over uneven surfaces like bathroom transitions.

If you push a Juvo backwards, the turned wheel moves the centre of gravity to where the wheel would be when the commode is rolling forward on a straight-rear leg commode. The difference between this feature of the Juvo & alternative shower commodes on the market is shown below.

This feature ensures that there is a reduced risk of the commode tipping backward, no matter what care practice is being used or what the environment of the space in which the Juvo is being used is like.

Remember to prioritize safety when purchasing or prescribing a shower commode. Choose a commode with an angled rear leg design, which enhances stability and minimises the risk of injury for the user.

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Learn more at www.juvo.com.au.