Last month ABC news did a series on obesity titled "Critical Condition" one of the segments they was on how obesity has affected hospital care. Hospitals are under the gun to provide among other things bigger beds and wheelchairs. The wheel chairs are enormous! There is even a company that specializes in humongous coffins and busines has been very brisk.
How has obesity affected all of you in the workplace?
I recently spoke to an ER docotr who told me that it takes twice as much effort and time to care for an obese patient. She even said that she had to treat several emt workers for injuries to their wrists and back after carrying an obese person down a 6 story walk up.
some of them don't wipe their bums because they can't reach. I've had to help get urine specimens for people who are too big to reach under with the speci cup.
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I remember being HUGELY pregnant, having all I could do to wipe myself clean w/o straining, so I can imagine how hard it must be for people exceeding 300lb. Physically, it must be nearly impossible.
I had a patient admitted for cardiac workout (big surprise) and when we had to wash her she would hold her belly folds up with a towel while two of us washed her. She had resistance bands on the poles at the bottom of her bed so she could pull herself out of bed. PT had to work with her alot teaching her ways to clean herself and get up out of bed and chairs.
The obese patients I've cared for don't seem to be any more whiny or unreasonable than non-obese patients. Most of them are more time-consuming, but all patients deserve to be treated with dignity.
I do think obesity is a scary epidemic that is spiraling out of control. Obese patients need to take some responisibility for themselves; this is a preventable condition. I don't know what the answer is, but I do agree it's a serious concern for nurses.
This argument doesn't cut it for me. Someone in renal failure is going to require more care than someone with a broken leg. Patients should get the care they need based on the severity of their injury/illness/disease.
...Jennifer...
So the obese deserve more of my time than my GI bleed, or my confused, or my chronic renal failure or respiratory distress patients??? Because I have this vast assortment on every shift that I work! Have you actually figured out a way to stretch an hour? If so, I'd love to learn your secret!
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