When clinicians evaluate mobile shower commodes, key factors such as hygiene, patient comfort, and ease of transfer are always top priorities. However, footplate design plays an equally critical role in ensuring patient stability, safe positioning, and efficient care delivery. The footplate is not just a small feature; it is a fundamental component that influences every aspect of a patient’s seated experience, from posture and weight distribution to transfer ease and safety.

Our shower commodes are designed for durability, infection control, and adaptability in high-demand healthcare environments. Within our range, two of our most prescribed models stand out for their specific footplate configurations: the Sliding Footplate and the Swing-Away Footplate. Both models are constructed with durable stainless-steel frames and trusted by clinicians, but each brings unique advantages for different patient care scenarios.

In this article, we introduce these two models in detail, review real-world clinical scenarios where each excels, examine their key functions, offer clinical benefits, and provide a specification comparison. By understanding these details, you can confidently select the right Mobile Shower Commode to support your patients’ safety, comfort and independence.

Introducing two of our most frequently prescribed Mobile Shower Commodes:

Attendant Propelled Shower Commode with Sliding Footplate

Product Code: CR1524-46

Link: https://www.crescenthealthcare.com.au/CR1524-46

Attendant Propelled Shower Commode with Swing-Away Footplate

Product Code: CR1660-46

Link: https://www.crescenthealthcare.com.au/CR1660-46

Clinical use scenario: Navigating Space, Safety and Support in Hospital-Based Shower Commode use

Selecting the right Shower Commode is essential for ensuring patient safety, comfort and staff efficiency, especially when dealing with tight bathroom layouts and diverse patient needs. Two models from Crescent Healthcare, the CR1524-46 with a Sliding Footplate and the CR1660-46 with a Swing-Away footplate, demonstrate how specific footplate designs can cater to different clinical scenarios.

Scenario Overview: General Rehabilitation Ward

Both patients are admitted to a public hospital’s rehabilitation ward, where bathrooms present challenges such as limited turning radius, tight doorway clearances, and fixed plumbing. Nursing staff and allied health assistants assist with hygiene care as part of daily activities of daily living.

Patient Case Examples: Matching Commode Features to Clinical Need

Patient A is Mr. Harris, a 75-year-old male recovering from a mild right-sided stroke. He presents with residual weakness and mild balance issues but is able to participate in seated hygiene routines with minimal assistance. The CR1524-46 Attendant Propelled Shower Commode is selected for his care.

The CR1524-46 has a Sliding Footplate with a seat width of 460 millimetres. The Shower Commode has an overall width of 540 millimetres, a seat to heel height of 410 millimetres, and a maximum user weight of 200 kilograms.

The Sliding Footplate provides a non-slip, weight-bearing platform that can be extended or retracted by the carer to ensure safe and stable support for Mr. Harris's feet. This feature enhances his postural stability and reduces the risk of forward slipping, which is especially important for patients with mild lower limb weakness. For healthcare professionals, the sliding footplate design allows carers to make adjustments quickly, supporting infection control protocols and reducing the physical demands of manual handling.

Patient B is Ms. O’Connell, a 69-year-old female in early rehabilitation following a left hemispheric stroke. She presents with significant right-sided hemiparesis and poor sitting balance. She is non-weight-bearing and requires full hoist transfers. The CR1660-46 Attendant Propelled Shower Commode is chosen to meet her needs.

The CR1660-46 has a Swing-Away Footplate and a seat width of 460 millimetres. The Shower Commode’s overall width is 540 millimetres, and the seat to heel height is adjustable from 320 to 575 millimetres. The maximum user weight is 200 kilograms.

The Swing-Away Footplate is designed to flip up, swing to the side, or be completely removed, allowing healthcare professionals to quickly clear the foot support for hoist or side transfers. This feature is particularly valuable when working with patients like Ms. O’Connell, where safe positioning is essential, and time efficiency is important for staff. The height-adjustable footplate also allows carers to tailor the leg support to the patient’s lower limb length, which improves posture and reduces the risk of sliding or instability during hygiene routines.

Clinical Considerations

• Equipment selection should be tailored to the patient’s level of dependency, posture and clinical environment.
• Selecting the right footplate design is key to balancing patient safety, comfort and staff efficiency.
• Matching the footplate design to individual patient needs can improve care outcomes, enhance patient comfort, and reduce physical demands on staff.
• Both footplate designs support essential hygiene and transfer tasks, but their differences guide clinical decision-making.

The Sliding Footplate Shower Commode

The Sliding Footplate Shower Commode is designed to deliver reliable foot support and stability during hygiene routines. Its integrated sliding platform provides a fixed, non-slip surface that can be extended or retracted as needed. This feature allows carers to position the footplate quickly without bending or making direct hand contact, which promotes infection control and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. The non-slip, weight-bearing platform enhances patient stability by supporting the lower limbs throughout extended seated care, helping patients maintain optimal posture and reducing the risk of forward slipping.

Clinical Benefits:

• Supports patients who require consistent foot support to stay balanced during hygiene routines.
• Durable stainless-steel construction with 125 millimetre Locking Castors ensures easy manoeuvrability in tight clinical spaces.
• Reduces manual handling demands for carers, promoting safe seated positioning and supporting infection control compliance.

The Swing-Away Footplate Shower Commode

The Swing-Away Footplate Shower Commode is built for maximum flexibility in clinical settings. Its footplate can swing away to the side, flip up, or be removed entirely, giving carers full side, front access for safe and efficient transfers. This is particularly valuable for patients with significant lower limb impairment or those requiring hoist-assisted transfers, where unobstructed access is essential. The patented ‘Tear Safe’ legrest system keeps the footplate secure during use but allows it to be repositioned or removed easily to meet individual clinical needs. The height-adjustable footplate helps accommodate different leg lengths, promoting proper alignment and reducing the risk of pressure injuries.

Clinical Benefits:

• Ideal for patients with limited mobility or those in rehabilitation who need extra legroom and frequent transfer assistance.
• Streamlines workflows by reducing time needed to reposition the footplate, supporting safer and faster transfers.
• Reinforced frame and seamless PU seat options enhance patient comfort and simplify cleaning, supporting infection control standards.
• Swing-away design minimises manual lifting demands for carers and improves accessibility during hygiene tasks.

Shower Commode Comparison Table

Comparing Footplate Specifications

Clinical Considerations: Benefits and Limitations

Benefits of Selecting the Appropriate Commode

Selecting the correct footplate design ensures optimal patient support, safe transfers, and staff efficiency. The Sliding Footplate model enhances seated stability and is ideal for patients who require consistent lower limb support in high-turnover clinical settings. The Swing-Away Footplate model provides maximum flexibility for patients with limited mobility, enabling easier hoist or lateral transfers and reducing manual handling demands on staff.

Limitations if the Wrong Commode is Selected

Using the incorrect model can compromise patient safety and care delivery. A Sliding Footplate model in patients requiring frequent transfers may obstruct access, increase repositioning time, and pose additional manual handling risks. Conversely, a Swing-Away Footplate model may lack the consistent lower limb support needed for patients with partial weight-bearing capacity, potentially affecting seated posture and increasing the risk of forward slipping.

How can Crescent Healthcare help you?

Choosing the right Shower Commode is more than selecting a product; it is about ensuring patients receive the correct support for their mobility and care requirements. At Crescent Healthcare, we are committed to delivering durable, safe, and clinically reliable solutions that align with infection control standards and enhance patient dignity.

We understand that choosing the best option depends on individual patient needs and your clinical environment. Our Equipment Specialists are ready to assist with product selection, training and aftercare support.

If you are unsure which model is the best fit for your patients, contact our team for tailored guidance. You can also access our complete Shower Commode Brochure, request a Prescription Form or consult CLARA for setup guides and training resources online.

Contact us today:

Phone: 1300 04 05 06

Email: hello@crescenthealthcare.com.au

Website: crescenthealthcare.com.au

Useful Resources:

Appointment Request Form

Mobile Shower Commode Brochure

Shower Commode Prescription Form

Pressure Care Seat Prescription Form

Ask CLARA (Crescent Healthcare Learning Assistance Resource for Advancement)