2018 FGI Guidelines Webinar—Accommodations for Care of Patients of Size
Channel: Facility Guidelines Institute
Date: 2022-07-27

Presenters: Mary W. Matz, MSPH, CPE, CSPHP, Patient Care Ergonomic Solutions, and Joseph J. Strauss, AIA, ACHA, Cleveland Clinic

Description: Statistics show that more than three-quarters of Americans are overweight. Hospitals must be able to accommodate these individuals safely, protecting both the patients and the staff who care for them. Outpatient facilities may be able to limit the type of patients they serve. In either case, a decision should be made for each project as to whether accommodations for patients of size will be provided and, if so, what percentage of a facility will incorporate these elements. For the 2018 FGI Guidelines, the Health Guidelines Revision Committee made a concerted effort to provide guidance to health care organizations attempting to make these determinations. From considerations during planning to ensuring enough space is provided for these patients and the caregivers assisting them, both recommendations and specific requirements are provided.

This webinar will enable viewers to:

1) Explain the importance of assessing the weight capacities of the population a facility will serve and the number of rooms that specifically can accommodate the largest patients that are needed.
2) Discuss the advantages to patients of size when they can be adequately served in a health care facility.
3) Discuss the importance to staff safety and retention of providing the equipment and space needed to safely serve patients of size.
4) Compare the cost increases for construction, materials, equipment, and increased staffing to the savings from use of necessary patient-handling equipment and reduced staff and patient injuries and negative patient outcomes.

*Please note that continuing education credit is no longer available for this webinar.