Annual Novation Bariatric Report Shows Hospitals Continue To Face Challenges Offering Quality Care For Obese Patients

Here is an easy problem to fix.

"Novation, the leading health care contracting services company of VHA Inc., University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) and Provista, LLC, announced the results of its annual bariatric report. The fifth annual nationwide survey of VHA and UHC hospitals confirms that caring for obese patients continues to challenge hospital staff as they experience escalating costs, increases in worker injuries and higher admissions of obese patients. Twenty percent of respondents saw a significant increase in admissions of obese patients, while 52 percent saw a slight increase. Hospitals said they are meeting this challenge with costly renovations in all areas of their facilities, purchasing specialized equipment and offering specialized training...

'When we looked at the trends over the last five years the biggest 'WOW' was the rising cost of treating obese patients. From 2007 to 2008 the cost to treat patients jumped nearly $50,000,' said Joan Roberts, senior director at Novation. 'The percentage of hospitals that have seen costs rise increased from 24 percent in 2003 to 68 percent in 2008. This year the median cost to treat obese patients was nearly $83,000.'"

Stop treating them or make them pay the difference in cost between their care and the costs of caring for intended-size human beings out of pocket.

"When asked if they have invested in physical renovations to accommodate obese patients, 28 percent of respondents said they have had to renovate in all areas of the hospital. The most common renovations included replacing wall hung toilets with floor mounted, increasing doorway size and/or adding complete bariatric suites. Two items on the wish list of many hospitals were seating for patient rooms and whirlpool/soaking tubs.

In addition to investing in physical renovations, hospitals are being compelled to purchase larger-sized supplies throughout the organization to provide quality care for obese patients. Some of the supplies reported being purchased over the last five years include: larger beds, scales, gowns in some cases size 8x, slippers, longer needles, larger diapers, longer surgical gloves, larger SCP sleeves and one hospital reported needing a 1,000 pound surgery bed."

Or just send them to the zoo for care by large animal vets.

I'm sure the vets won't mind.

I suspect they are accustomed to patients that act like pigs.