May 30, 2024- According to the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), 41.9% of adults in the United States are considered obese. And there is more, statistics from the CDC show that 22 of 50 states have an obesity prevalence at or above 35%. According to CME, healthcare facilities are now investing more and more in bariatric medical equipment to accommodate the growing number of patients suffering from obesity.
Here, CME reviews how bariatric equipment is defined, the types of bariatric medical equipment available to healthcare facilities, and also offers recommendations for evaluating bariatric equipment prior to purchase.
Bariatric medical equipment is designed to address the unique challenges and requirements related to caring for people weighing over 350 pounds or with a BMI≥40. The criteria required for medical equipment to be classified as bariatric is typically related to weight capacity, physical dimensions, and construction. Equipment includes bariatric wheelchairs, patient lifts, bariatric transfer benches, scooters, walking aids, other mobility equipment, and more.