Common Issues With The Standard Bariatric Wheelchair

While the typical bariatric wheelchair may cost more than the standard variety because they are a "specialty item," it is vital that hospital administrators (and anyone else who must ensure that individual transportation needs are met) make the investment. With obesity on the rise, there has been an increasing need for transport chairs capable of carrying heavier people for extended periods of time in both a private setting and in hospitals.

Unfortunately, even bariatric wheelchairs have some problems that can create both financial hazards for hospitals and health hazards for the patients themselves.

Perhaps the biggest problem with standard chairs is the lack of durability. In today's economy, administrators are looking for ways to cut corners, ideally without cutting the quality or quantity of services. Increased productivity is wanted at decreased costs. In order for a bariatric wheelchair to be cost effective, it would have to be able to serve the purpose of carrying obese patients of a wide range of sizes without putting anyone at risk.

The average wheelchair is rated to hold only 250 pounds, while most bariatric chairs are rated to 500 pounds. While they would be capable of safely transporting the average American, even standard bariatric chairs aren't safe for use in many bariatric clinics, where patients may weigh upwards of half a ton. Utilizing a wheelchair for patients that exceed the weight limit has some obvious problems. If the framework on a wheelchair were to bend or buckle, the damage could be devastating--both to the patient who is injured or humiliated and to the hospital itself, who may very likely face a long-running and expensive court battle.

One thing that drives up an operating budget is lack of adequate staffing. Transport workers, nurses and aides are frequently injured on the job as a result of improperly lifting wheelchair-bound patients. These injuries cause a shortage of help. Worker's compensation claims for work related back injuries cost on average $50,000--and then there is the cost of replacing injured workers. Factor in the paid sick days, and the financial loss to employers is greater still.

The ideal bariatric wheelchair would reduce the stress of patient transfers, as well as the risk of strain and injury to both the patient and the attendants. The wheelchair should be easy to maneuver, push with little effort and stop instantly. The passengers and the transport workers should feel safe and confident that the chair won't break, that it won't speed ahead if the attendant loses control of the chair, and that it won't cause fatigue, stress, strain or injury associated with heavy lifting.

Costly wheelchair maintenance contracts and replacing broken wheelchairs are common concerns for hospital administrators. Extra wheelchairs are frequently purchased to account for the number that they anticipate will be damaged, lost, or stolen over the course of a year. Choosing a bariatric wheelchair that has a sturdier frame and non-removable parts can go a long way toward reducing those costs.

Unfortunately, theft is also an issue in many hospitals. Given the price of wheelchairs, particularly specialty models, it's often tempting for patients to steal a chair to prevent absorbing the cost themselves. Administrators can help prevent this issue by investing in chairs with anti-theft features, such as an easily distinguishable look, wheel locks that prevent the chairs from being self-propelled, and a non-folding design.

While the initial investment in advanced bariatric wheelchairs may seem significant for already-strapped hospital budgets, the advantages that they offer would pay for themselves in no time. Sturdier chairs prevent patient injury, prevent replacement costs due to damage or theft, and may reduce staff-related expenses.