Creating and Maintaining a Safe Lifting Environment for Patients of Extreme Size
This section of the Safe Lifting Portal covers bariatrics, a term that was created in the mid 1960s to describe a new but rapidly expanding field of medicine that deals with the causes, prevention and treatment of obesity.
Lifting, moving and caring for persons of exceptional size
The sheer weight of extremely large individuals can pose a significant risk, both to the patients themselves and to those who perform their health care services. For example, lifting or repositioning an obese patient dramatically increases the normal risks encountered by nurses and other caregivers. Further, specialized equipment, new procedures, and extensive training are required in order to safely move individuals who are morbidly obese. Following are article links and downloads on the general topic of bariatric patients and their impact on caregivers and healthcare systems.
General Overview
Body Mass Index Calculator
Statistics about the prevalence of obesity
Obesity Polls
Economic Consequences
Nursing Issues
Rehab Issues
Architectural and Design Considerations for bariatric patients
Body Shape Assessments
Bariatric Healthcare Products
Bariatric Slings and Accessories
Bariatric Magazines
Reports on State Initiatives
Links
American Obesity Association
The AOA promotes education, research, and community action that can improve the quality of life and self-image of sufferers.
American Society of Bariatric Physicians
The ASBP is a professional medical society of physicians specializing in the treatment of obesity and its associated conditions. It has been instrumental in offering practical information that doctors can use in their bariatric practices.
American Society for Bariatric Surgery
The ASBS was founded in 1983 to address educational and support programs for surgeons and allied health professionals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC is the lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people and providing health decisions and to promote health through strong partnerships. Within this website is a link to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
National Eating Disorders Association
NEDA is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization devoted to the awareness and prevention of eating disorders.
National Institutes of Health
Founded in 1887, the NIH comprises of 25 separate institutes and centers, all part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
North American Association for the Study of Obesity: the Obesity Society
The Society is an interdisciplinary group dedicated to developing, extending, and disseminating knowledge in the field of obesity.
Obesity Action Coalition
The OAC is designed to elevate and empower those affected by obesity through education, advocacy, and support. The OAC educates obese individuals, family members, and the public..
The National Association of Bariatric Nurses
The NABN was formed in 2004 in recognition of the need for the nursing profession to dedicate resources, knowledge, and research towards improving the lift and nursing care of people suffering from obesity.
VA Safety Center
The US Department of Veterans Affairs website includes a link to the VA Sunshine Healthcare Network. The VISN 8 Patient Safety Center of Inquiry homepage has multiple resources including a bariatric toolkit, information on medical conditions affecting bariatric patients, and special handling and movement challenges for to bariatric patients.
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