Firehouse World Featured Talk: Challenges of Obese Patients
SAN DIEGO - Extremely obese patients often present unique challenges for EMS crews.
However, pre-planning and training can change that, presenter Cindy Tait told responders attending an EMS session at Firehouse World.
Showing pictures of some of the world's most obese patients, she emphasized the importance of having a plan. In addition to getting them out of their homes, responders also have to figure out how to get them to the hospital.
In some cases, patients have been loaded into the back of trucks for transport to the hospital.
Tait, a nurse and paramedic, urged responders to think out of the box, and to reach out to agencies that have the equipment, resources and knowledge to handle large patients.
She was referring to teams that rescue farm animals, especially horses. Many are equipped with straps and specialized hoists.
She stressed that it's essential for responders to know about local resources ahead of time.
Throughout the lecture, she emphasized the old saying - "Above all else, do no harm."
"Have a plan, and a backup plan," she said.
Tait said EMS personnel also should notify the hospital as soon as possible with as much information as possible about the patient, including weight and girth.
Other details to be relayed should include whether there are burns or skin breakdown and whether or not there are post operative complications involved.
Some trauma centers also may be better equipped to handle obese patients.
Challenges may include infection control, difficulty in intubation and vascular access.
Tait said it's also important for responders to handle obese patients carefully so they aren't hurt as well.
There are a number of issues to take into account when you encounter a severely obese patient, highlighting the imporance of training and planning.
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