Obesity - Implications For Nursing

[starshine07]

I was just wondering what everyone thought the implications of the rise in obesity has been for nurses/nursing?

Obviously with the rise in type2 diabetes, strokes, heart problems etc we have more to care for

And the cost of it to the NHS is going to mean more money is spent on that than other much needed areas.

Bigger beds are needed, larger comodes etc.

What else do you think the implications are/have been?

[woody62, RN]

I have read this thread with some amusement. Everyone is complaining about hurting their backs because of the lack of sufficient staff and/or equipment to turn or mobilize an extremely obese patient. I herniated L4-5, in January, 1988. I was one of two RN's on a floor, with two nursing assistants. The first time I helped the gentleman up in his bed, he was able to assist me. Shortly before the end of shift, I had to help him again and was unable to find any assistance. I lifted him by myself. The gentleman weighted all of 100 pounds. So much for being injured by an obese patient. And I was using proper body mechanics but suffered an injury despite using them. Most people who herniate a disk do not do so on their first back injury. Most have suffered two or three incidents of low back strain prior to herniating a disk. And you do not have to lift an obese patient to suffer an injury, you can lift a 100 pound one and suffer. And when I herniated my disk, it was the third time I had suffered a low back injury.

Woody:balloons: