PITTSFIELD, Mass. – In an effort to ensure safe and dignified ambulance service for bariatric patients here in Berkshire County, County Ambulance Service has added a specially equipped ambulance to deal with the increasing population of patients weighing over 500 pounds.
The nation has seen an increase in the number of obese patients that now fall into this bariatric category and the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) system has had difficulty in meeting the needs of this population of patients. County Ambulance made the decision to design and implement this bariatric ambulance to ensure the safety of transporting crews while maintaining the dignity and comfort of the patient.
Brian Andrews, President of County Ambulance says the unit is available for use anywhere in Berkshire County and is the only bariatric equipped ambulance west of Springfield, Mass.
"Some obese patients who needed an ambulance for would often refuse or wait until their condition was so severe they had no choice but to go by ambulance because the old method caused considerable embarrassment," Andrews said. "It was also a safety hazard for both the patient and crew alike due to the limitations of standard EMS equipment."
The bariatric ambulance will provide additional room in the rear of the ambulance for the patient and the crew. The unit will carry special equipment such as blood pressure cuffs that are designed for larger patients. The specially designed cot is rated to carry up to 1600 pounds. The ambulance has specials ramps and a winch installed so the patient can be safely loaded and unloaded from the ambulance. The risk of injury to ambulance crews from lifting bariatric patients has been reduced with this new system. The special unit also has no markings on it and looks like other County Ambulance units so as not to cause undue embarrassment for obese patients.
“While nervous to make such an investment not knowing the exact demand for its use we felt it was the right thing to do,” said Andrews. We have soon found out the need was greater than we ever imagined, this new unit is used multiple times everyday for bariatric patients residing in extended care facilities as well as private homes.”
County Ambulance Service the County’s largest ambulance service is locally owned and operated. More than 100 employees at County Ambulance provide over 65,000 medical transports per year. County is headquartered in Pittsfield, MA and is the sole provider of emergency ambulance service to the City of Pittsfield.
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