AVAILABILITY AND ADEQUACY OF DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC EQUIPMENT FORTHE MORBIDLY OBESE PATIENT IN AN ACUTE CARE SETTING

Morbid obesity is a common problem with an estimated three to five mil lion people in the USA being morbidly obese. The likelihood of hospita l admission for this population is increased due to their associated d iseases. The treatment of the morbidly obese can be hindered by the la ck of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. As a Level I Trauma Center and referral facility for 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, our institution offers advanced clinical services on an annual basis for m any morbidly obese patients. An evaluation of the availability of spec ialized equipment for the morbidly obese was conducted to assure that our institution was prepared to continue to provide high-tech clinical services. Limitations in the availability and adequacy of equipment w ere identified. A phone survey of companies that supplied equipment de signed for the unique needs of the morbidly obese was completed to ide ntity additional products that are available to assist in providing sa fe and efficient care for the obese patient. Justifying additional cap ital purchases can be substantiated by survey results. Recommendations for the number and type of equipment needed for specialized services were developed.