Considerations In Bariatric Wheelchair Design

As the average weight of modern Americans continues to climb, more and more facilities are recognizing the need to provide personal passenger transportation that can accommodate heavyweight individuals. However, bariatric wheelchair design has remained relatively stagnant, with few innovations that improve on the basic wheelchair. For example, the 250 to 500-pound weight limit on most wheelchairs isn't sufficient to meet the needs of the bariatric clinics that are popping up all over the country to provide counseling, nutrition services, and weight loss surgeries.

A small wheelchair with an insufficient weight limit is not only uncomfortable, but dangerous to the patients, to the staff taking care of them, and to the facility's bottom line--the damage could be devastating if a chair collapsed under a patient's weight. Aside from the physical injuries that could be caused, the personal humiliation resulting from that kind of accident can be astounding.

While specialized bariatric wheelchairs do exist, they do have some drawbacks. Not only are they inordinately expensive, but their weight limits could stand to be improved. The problem lies in the typical chrome frame construction, which just isn't as strong as a steel-framed chair. A wheelchair capable of holding 600 pounds may seem sufficient, but considering that bariatric clinics often deal with patients weighing in at nearly half a ton, it just doesn't cut it. Ultra-durable steel-frame construction is a must, as are wider seats designed to accommodate the people who may find themselves sitting in one for a great deal of time.

The space taken up by bariatric wheelchairs is another issue for hospitals and clinics. The wheelchairs must either be folded and tucked into a closet for storage, or left out to line the hallways. Neither of these options are ideal, as both point out weaknesses that lead to theft. Wheelchairs that go missing are a significant expense for administrators, who must allot a certain percentage of their equipment budget to replacing missing and damaged wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are often easy to steal because they are self-propelled and can easily fold to fit into a patient's car.

Patients aren't the only ones to take off with wheelchairs. Especially in larger hospitals, staff members may find themselves scurrying to find the nearest available wheelchair, picking it up from one unit for use on another. The problem is that all too frequently, no one ever thinks to bring them back. Particularly in the case of specialized equipment, this can lead to dangerous situations and a good deal of lost time.

An elegant solution to the issues of storage and theft can be found in nesting racks, which can nest stacked transport chairs into their own locked corral. Not only does such a system prevent theft, it also reduces the number of wheelchairs left to clutter up a hallway. Color-coding the chairs can help prevent inter-unit disputes about where the chairs belong--one can see at a glance which chair belongs where, and a chair with automatic wheel locks (requiring an attendant to push) are all excellent options to look into.

Providing safe and effective bariatric transportation doesn't have to be a nightmare. If time is taken to consider one's options, even the busiest of clinics can provide safe, comfortable transportation for even the heaviest patients.