The Bariatric Wheelchair: Is There A Better Design?

One of the sad facts of modern life is that not only is obesity increasing

, but the incidences of morbid obesity are as well. Morbid obesity is defined as a bodyweight 50-100% above the medical ideal or a BMI (body mass index) of 39 or above, and is differentiated from obesity in that there is a greater percentage of health risks. This person is also far more likely to require a bariatric wheelchair if admitted to a hospital or other care center for treatment or tests.

Bariatrics is that branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of obesity, and a bariatric wheelchair is a chair that is constructed to accommodate a person with a significantly larger than standard body size. These chairs pose a significant expense for any care center for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, they have to be designed to carry significantly more weight than standard chairs. This can mean customized seats, wheels, and armrests. It also requires sturdier materials. Unfortunately, despite the added costs and materials, bariatric wheelchairs suffer from the same problems that regular hospital wheelchairs do.

One of the big problems is theft. And the problem of theft contributes to other issues. This is because wheelchairs are a necessity and must be kept in inventory, so, if many of them are going to be stolen, up until recently, the only alternative has been to order the cheapest model possible.

Wheelchairs, bariatric and otherwise, that remain on the grounds are subject to wearing out much faster than they would if they were sturdier. This leads to even higher replacement costs. What can hospitals do?

Another issue faced by those dealing with intuitional wheelchairs is storage. To some extent these chairs can be folded up - which is also part of the theft problem - but they do not stack or lean well. In the case of bariatric wheelchairs, the problem is compounded due to the larger size.

The answer to these and many other problems is a new type of bariatric wheelchair. It should be noted that this chair is more expensive at the outset than standard models, but there is a long-term savings that more than offsets any initial costs.

This bariatric wheelchair is designed with the institution and attendant in mind, as well as the comfort of the patient. It is not designed for independent movement by the occupant, which not only reduces theft, but also liability.

It is also designed to hold much more weight - up to 1,000 pounds as opposed to 750 - than standard bariatric wheelchairs. This same design that adds strength and reduces theft additionally allows for the bariatric wheelchairs to be nested against one another like shopping carts - but with added security features - handily solving the storage problem. Nesting enables the chairs to be stored virtually anywhere in safety, without taking up vital space or blocking a hall. It also ensures all those who need to, know where they are.

Being made of sturdier materials and designed to reduce theft means that the cost per unit is actually significantly lower than a standard chair. In a world where there is an increasing need for bariatric wheelchairs, this is a substantial saving.

by: Amy Lynn Hart

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