General Information
 The term "bariatric" refers to the population of obese patients who require medical intervention. In terms of providing home medical equipment, it is generally defined as patients in excess of 250 pounds. In most aspects of health care, unique patient types (such as the bariatric patient) are defined and separated from the general population of patients because of their need for special intervention and care management.
The bariatric patient population has grown dramatically in the last few decades. The Surgeon General has declared obesity an epidemic. It is the second leading cause of preventable death, exceeded only by cigarette smoking. Obesity has been established as a major risk factor for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and some cancers in both men and women, and is responsible for diminished quality of life for those affected by it. According to the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, one-third of American adults (58 million) are obese and one in five children between the ages of 6 and 17 is overweight.
The escalated prevalence of obesity in America has greatly increased the demand for specialty equipment and for healthcare professionals with the expertise to accurately assess the bariatric patient’s home medical equipment needs.
Our Team Objectives
|
- Incorporate a comprehensive team approach for the successful discharge of the bariatric patient, and facilitate the prompt return to the patient’s home and community in a cost effective manner.
- Increase timely discharge and decrease patient dependency upon medical services.
- Provide home medical equipment that will help patients live safely, comfortably and independently at home.
- Ensure maximal safety for both patient and caregiver.
- Preserve patient dignity by trying to prevent anxiety, humiliation or isolation by providing safe, supportive, and comfortable products, as well as complete patient and caregiver instruction and training.
- Maximize energy efficiency for any individual limited by the demands of day-to-day activities.
- Find safe solutions to difficult seating and transfer situations by utilizing specialty positional seating and transfer systems.
- Maximize patient independence and mobility by offering options in bariatric power wheelchair and scooter mobility for individuals who cannot self-propel.
|
Bariatric Home Medical Equipment
Finding mobility and bathroom equipment with weight capacities exceeding 250 pounds is often difficult, but not at Knueppel HealthCare Services. We maintain an inventory of bariatric equipment in stock. Weight capacities of up to 1000 pounds can be accommodated for wheelchairs, hospital beds and other home medical equipment. When necessary, wheelchairs are custom-built to the specific needs of the individual. The following is a list of specialty products we carry to accommodate the bariatric patient.
|
|
- Aids for daily living
- Bath transfer benches
- Commodes
- Hospital beds
- Low air loss systems
- Portable ramps
- Pressure relief cushions and mattress overlays
- Quad Canes
- Rollators
- Scooters
- Wheelchairs: power and manual
|
- Bath tub/shower benches and chairs
- Canes
- Crutches
- Lift chairs
- Patient lifts and slings
- Seating and Positioning Cushions
- Shower Commode Chair
- Transfer Boards
- Walkers and wheeled walkers
|
Personal Health Care Products
Finding orthopedic and personal care products can be frustrating and difficult for the bariatric patient. At Knueppel HealthCare Services we carry large sizes in stock. Alterations and modifications are done on-site and garments are custom-made when required.
- Back braces and supports
- Medical compression stockings
- Knee braces
- Pendulous abdomen supports
|
- Plus size bras
- Pressure relief cushions and mattress overlays
- Self care products
|
Medical Equipment Services
- Complete patient and caregiver instruction and training
- Equipment repair and maintenance
- Free delivery for home medical equipment
- Home inspections for equipment viability
|
- In-home consultations for home medical equipment
- Insurance billing to Medicare, Medicaid, city and county programs, HMO's, PPO's, area health networks and third party pay sources
- 24 hour emergency service
|
Links
American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP)
American Board of Bariatric Medicine (ABBM)
American Obesity Association (AOA)
American Society of Bariatric Surgery (ASBS)
|
