December 21, 2007 – Healthcare products maker Medline Industries is offering a free bariatric readiness assessment to help healthcare facilities determine the gaps in serving bariatric patients at their institutions.
With the increased number of bariatric patients and the increased awareness of their needs, Medline has conducted research with facilities in various parts of the country to identify areas where bariatric products may be appropriate. Medline’s Bariatric Readiness Assessment is a tool that can be used in various departments in a facility to assess their ability to accommodate bariatric patients.
This tool is not a prescription, but rather a combination of the areas other leading facilities are evaluating for bariatric readiness. The rules of thumb have been taken from these facilities as well as other publications and articles focused on bariatrics, the company said.
The assessment asks hospitals to look at door widths, elevator weight capacities, the size and weigh loads of chairs and coaches in waiting and patient rooms, weight and size capacities of equipment used for patient transport, imaging, toilets, etc. The survey also gives information on what is needed to accommodate bariatric patients.
The assessment also asks hospitals to consider sensitivity training for employees, how to protect caregivers from injury when caring or moving bariatric patients, and how they plan to bath larger patients.
For more information: www.medline.com