title: Availability and Adequacy of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Equipment for the Morbidly Obese Patient in an Acute Care Setting.
abstract: Morbid obesity is a common problem with an estimated three to five million people in the USA being morbidly obese. The likelihood of hospital admission for this population is increased due to their associated diseases. The treatment of the morbidly obese can be hindered by the lack of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. As a Level I Trauma Center and referral facility for 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, our institution offers advanced clinical services on an annual basis for many morbidly obese patients. An evaluation of the availability of specialized equipment for the morbidly obese was conducted to assure that our institution was prepared to continue to provide high-tech clinical services. Limitations in the availability and adequacy of equipment were identified. A phone survey of companies that supplied equipment designed for the unique needs of the morbidly obese was completed to identify additional products that are available to assist in providing safe and efficient care for the obese patient. Justifying additional capital purchases can be substantiated by survey results. Recommendations for the number and type of equipment needed for specialized services were developed.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center of Eastern Carolina-Pitt County, Greenville, NC, 27858 USA.
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Foil
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Pories