One of the biggest issues was the process of properly identifying the bariatric equipment.

"You want to know before you're getting something for that patient that it does, indeed, meet their requirements," says Miletics.


The hospital solved the problem with a labeling system, using green stickers to mark equipment that can hold more than 250 pounds. Then came the question of location: where can all of the bariatric products be found?

"We do have manuals that have the list of furniture and equipment and where they're supposed to be, but updating that got to be a little problematic," says Miletics. "Recently, we put the list online, so we can constantly update it and anyone will have immediate access to it," she says.

The staff was also trained and informed about the new equipment and protocols. Miletics believes it's a crucial part of proper patient care.

"The big thing about the bariatric patient is that they're the ones who are probably most in need of getting care because of medical conditions. We have to do everything we can to make it so they're safe when they come here and also, that the staff is safe in taking care of them," she says. "If the staff doesn't have the appropriate equipment to care for their patient, then they put themselves at risk for injury."

As the bariatric program at the facility continues to grow, Miletics hopes to acquire more equipment, such as additional recliners. Bariatric products are more expensive than standard medical supplies, but for facilities like St. Luke's, the needs of the patients are more important than the costs.

Miletics says that if hospitals fail to accommodate bariatric patients, they may lose business to other facilities more sensitive to that population. Not having the appropriate equipment also increases the chances of injury for the medical staff.

"I want to ask, how can you afford not to do it?" she says.

Society judges the obese too harshly, says Miletics, even though that segment of our population is often in need of extra attention.

"We're in an epidemic here. I really think obesity is the new tobacco," she says. "We have got to do something about this obesity, but meanwhile, we have to begin to care for those who are already suffering from obesity."
Miletics hopes that putting the list of the hospital's available bariatric equipment online will make the process of providing care for the bariatric population smoother for both the staff and the patients.

The durable market

The proliferation of bariatric patients into the health care system creates a lucrative market for manufacturers and distributors of equipment that is tailored to meet their needs.

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