Air ambulances address issue of obese patients.

New policies meant to ensure timeliness of transport, safety
By HECTOR CASTRO
P-I REPORTER

Bigger backboards, sturdier gurneys, ambulances with a wider entrance -- the growing girth of the American public translates to a bigger patient for medical service providers.

Now, Airlift Northwest is the latest such agency to announce new policies to deal with obese patients.

"There's been a real increase in the size and girth of some of the patients we've been asked to transport," said Mardie Rhodes, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit air ambulance service.

Beginning Friday, Airlift Northwest began asking hospitals to fill out a special form when requesting transport for anyone weighing more than 250 pounds. The form asks for more information in such cases, including the measurements of the patient's abdomen when lying down.

link: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/364975_heavy29.html?redux

:woohoo: :woohoo: :hi:

:popcorn:

time to cut back on the high fructose corn syrup in the jet fuel.

Obesity is the most serious and (in my opinion) neglected, public health issues.

"pubic health issues"

:rofl:

:hi:

:scared:

:rofl:

about having both of them having to lose weight, becuase it was severely hampering their love making. So I guess you could say it's a pubic problem as well.

:rofl: