Manual handling risks associated with the care, treatment and transportation of bariatric (severely obese) patients in Australia is a report from the Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) by Steve Cowley and Susan Leggett. In 2004-05, some 41% of adult males and 25% of females in Australia were classified as overweight (BMI of between 25 and 30) and 18% of males and 17% of females were classified as obese (BMI over 30). Some consider a person with a Body Mass Index (BMI) that exceeds 30 to be bariatric, or morbidly obese, but the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) defines morbid obesity as a BMI of more than 40. The number of persons who may be considered bariatric is not known.
This report looks at the implications severe obesity for workplace health and safety and workers’ compensation. "Morbidly obese patients are over represented in the use of healthcare. Further, there is a high mortality rate for these patients because of the patients’ delay in accessing treatment. It is possible that this delay may be in part due to there being limited capacity within institutions to manage care." Four case studies are documented for the ambulance, fire, hospital and funeral occupations, where specific issues and possible solutions are examined.
No comments:
Post a Comment