Posted By Jim Walker
Just done a google as I was interested in what the word Bariatric meant.

Found loads of equipment suppliers but no definition??

Posted By Locksley McPherson
Hi
Here at Nottingham University Hospitals we found that we get an awfully large number of bariatric patients & have systems in place to address them.
If you want more info contact Back Care Adviser at Queen's Medical Centre Campus Nottingham to discuss

Posted By JWG
John

I work in an NHS acute trust and we have recently addressed this area. When we started to look at the problem it was realised that it was a bigger task than first thought, and it will always be an area that needs to be monitored. We have patients a of 35 stone plus.

Equipment purchased: beds, matresses, trolleys (including mortuary trolley), hoists & straps, cammodes, wheelchairs, chairs.

The normal beds take upto 28 stone
The bariatric beds take upto 56 stone (electric profile beds)
The bariatric hoists take 60 stone plus
The bariatric trolleys take upto 36 stone

Problem areas: cleaning (and segregation from others) of the straps; transporting the patient around the site (including theatre and mortuary), additional straps for the internal ambulance to fit the larger trolleys; the weight concentrated onto the wheels could damage some floorings; personal hygiene needs; effectively communicating the arrangements and methods of work and making sure that they are followed (this was probably the biggest problem area).

Not to forget that respect and dignity has to maintained at all times.

Posted By Gary L

IS

I'll be the first to admit that I am no expert in this field, but just because a person is Bariatric doesn't mean that it is self inflicted!

Gary

Posted By J Knight
Hi Is K,

I question your assumption of knowledge. One key factor is that the people we provide services for, in particular, are usually very ill, and have advanced neurological conditions, mostly terminal. It is extremely hard to sit in judgment of anybody in that condition.

I would submit its never quite as easy to judge anybody's lifestyle as it might seem; though where weight is concerned almost every man in the street seems to feel qualified to be judge, jury and executioner,

John

Posted By Kath Briody
There are many problems when dealing with bariatric people - the availability of equipment being only one. People can feel very isolated and embarrassed by their condition and it is important to ensure that their dignity is respected and they are consulted as to their needs. Equipment is available both for hire and purchase. Hospitals beds are available up to 70stones (445Kg) SWL, chairs are available in wider seats and with a higher weight capacity (up to 40 stones [254Kg], commodes are available and zimmer frames. Theatre tables and patient trolleys are available. Moving people of this weight within a hospital site can be problematic but electrically driven bed tugs can greatly reduce the risk. Sometimes special transport has to be arranged to get someone to hospital - patients have been taken in the back of a tail -lift lorry before now. However, I was at a focus group with Ruth Nutbrown from South Yorkshire Ambulance Service and she was talking about the development of a bariatric vehicle. She might be able to help further. Another alternative could be to take services to someone's home e.g. consultant appointments. Mortuary facilities and undertakers are another area which needs to be lookedat.

The biggest help in dealing with bariatric people is effective communication. When the communication is good, you can plan in advance and have equipment ready.

I believe NICE have declared bariatrics to start at BMI 40 but most back care advisors are having problems with people whose BMI is much lower than this. Certainly there are calls for BMI 30 to be looked on as bariatric.

Posted By Salus
"you never know there may be something in the national newspapers"

Posted By Bob Thompson CMIOSH
Locksley how are you doing mate I would have sent you an email direct but I dont know how to do it from this site

Regards Bob

Posted By J Knight
Thanks DJ,

Most helpful,

John