the obese patient in the ED

see also:

• obesity and weight management
• lipoedema
• the bariatric patient in the ED
• steatohepatitis (fatty liver)

• the obese patient with a BMI > 30 who presents to ED:
  • is ~15% more likely to have a failed iv cannulation ¹⁾
  • is twice as likely to have an AXR ordered
  • is 30% more likely to have cardiac enzymes ordered

• bariatric patients pose major problems in the ED
  • iv access and other life saving procedures can be extremely difficult and with greater morbidity/mortality
  • physical clinical signs can be impossible to detect and evaluate leading to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis
  • physical transfers are a major issue
  • appropriate beds are required
  • most CT scanners and other radiology equipments have a limit of 150kg or 200kg making diagnostics much harder