Here's a shocking article my folks cut out for me from the Edmonton Journal, just a few weeks ago. A glimpse into the future of the health care setting, my work place:
Obese patients take toll on health care (link) via. Edmonton Journal, February 19th, 2011"It can take six nurses -12 experienced hands grappling with great masses of flesh - to turn some of the alarmingly growing number of obese patients in Canada's intensive care units.
There are men and women with so much abdominal fat that they can't lie flat on their backs and still breathe.
They spill over the sides of a normal hospital bed and require extra-wide bariatric beds that can support up to 1,000 pounds. Some of them are so large it can be difficult for nurses to find their patients' veins to insert intravenous lines.
They may weigh 400 pounds, 500 pounds or more..."
FYI: Bariatrics is a branch of medicine dealing with the cause, treatment, and prevention of obesity.
1 comment:
Yup, obesity sure makes my job SO much more difficult on so many levels. I can only imagine it's the same on any unit.
I love reading your blog Danielle! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Post a Comment