Please call us at 303-552-1003 if you have any questions!

Why Bariatric Ramps Improve Safety

For Patients and EMT's

Bariatric patients are becoming increasingly common. 1 in 80 men weigh more than 300 lbs., which is a 50% jump between 1996 to 2000. Not only are men affected, but one in every 200 women weighs more than 300 lbs.; a 67% increase. With this increase in the bariatric population, it is important that EMT's, bariatric patients, and relatives of the bariatric patient understand proper moving techniques. If a person improperly moves a bariatric patient, they put themselves at an increased risk of musculoskeletal injury. Also, the bariatric patient may be uncomfortable, both emotionally and physically, with improper moving techniques.

The wider waistlines that weigh down the average American translate to increased costs and challenges for caregivers that treat severely overweight patients. Many facilities find standard equipment ill-suited to address the transportation needs of bariatric patients, and increasingly, caregivers are being injured on the job when moving obese patients. Nearly 40 million American adults -- a full 22.3 percent of the population -- can be classified as obese, according the National Institute of Health. Of those, 16.8 million are men, and 23 percent are women. The prevalence of obesity has increased 61 percent between 1991 and 2000.

In fact, a recent Wall Street Journal article indicates an alarming increase in the number of Americans who are morbidly obese -- that is, 100 pounds or more overweight. Approximately 1 in 80 men weighs more than 300 pounds, a 50 percent jump between 1996 and 2000, according to the Journal. One of every 200 women weighs more than 300 pounds, marking an astonishing 67 percent increase.

Consequently, it's no surprise that patient transport equipment manufacturers nationwide are reporting a steady increase in the demand for bariatric equipment, products specifically designed for obese patients. The equipment runs from wheelchairs to special lifts.

For instance, companies like RX Fabrication, are introducing special product lines to accommodate the increasing number of bariatric patients who are transported to hospitals. Rian Conradie, president of RX Fabrication, says more clients are ordering special ambulance ramps and lifts to accommodate bariatric patients. The need to tame the cost of Workers' Compensation claims linked to back injuries trumps the cost of purchasing new equipment, he says.

 
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Rx Fabrication Offers the Best Bariatric Ambulance Ramps on the Market
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Safer for Patients and EMT's!
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Installation is Quick & Easy!
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps 1,400 lb. Capacity
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps 1 Hinge Eliminates Unecessary Pinch Points
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Easily installed with thumb screws
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Simple 1- or 2-Person Loading and Unloading of Patients
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Mounting plate designed so ambulance
carries the weight, not the ramps.
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Remove ramps, lift hinge arms up and close
ambulance doors. Mounting plate need not be
removed from vehicle.
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps After patient is in, ambulance
ramps can be removed and stored.
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Winch assembly comes completely assembled.
Comes with both wire and wireless controllers
and rope instead of a cable.
Bariatric Ambulance Ramps Winch is user friendly! Small and compact.
Mounts to floor with two thumbscrews.
Can easily be removed.