Did you know…?
There are approximately 46 million people aged 65 and older in the United States. By 2029 more than 20 percent of the total U.S. population will be over the age of 65.*
More than 2/3 of Americans are overweight or obese.**
With the aging of America’s baby boomers and an average BMI score in the obesity range, patient populations are presenting new challenges for healthcare facilities. Are your customers considering these patients’ needs when purchasing new equipment?
For many years physician offices and clinics have weighed patients on mechanical balance beam scales or low capacity/small platform digital scales. With many providers seeing an increase in elderly and overweight patients, larger and more accommodating scales are necessary to provide a safer and more comfortable weighing experience.
Elderly and obese patients often have impaired mobility, which is defined as lower extremity weakness and decreased balance. This limits their ability to easily and safely step onto a scale’s platform while maintaining their balance. To increase safety, facilities should utilize large platform scales that are specifically designed for patients with low mobility. These scales feature low platform heights and “live” handrails. Low platform heights require only a minimal step-up, reducing the risk of tripping. “Live” handrails allow patients to hold on for security and provide a more stable and accurate weighing experience. Large platform scales also offer a higher capacity to provide flexibility and accuracy when weighing any patient.
Wheelchair scales are another excellent option for patients with impaired mobility. These scales may be used with wheelchair-bound patients as well as for those with limited mobility. For wheelchair-bound patients, patients can remain safely seated in their wheelchair while being weighed. The scales use a “tare” function to subtract the weight of a wheelchair and display only the patient’s weight. Unsteady patients can also be weighed on a wheelchair scale, using the ramp to walk onto the platform, rather than having to step up. If using a cane or walker, the weight of the item can be tared from the patient weight. Alternatively, some wheelchair scales have optional attached chair accessories for patients who wish to remain seated during the weighing process; this option is helpful for patients who are unable to hold still, which is important for capturing accurate weights. For smaller physician offices, some wheelchair scales include convenient storage features such as folding ramps or adjustable tracks.
In addition to patient safety and comfort, upgrading a facility’s scale can help providers participating in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) states that “Before an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) can share in any savings generated, it must demonstrate that it met the quality performance standard for that year.”*** One of the quality measures within those performance standards is “ACO-3 CAHPS: Patients’ Rating of Provider”. Among the many factors in a patient’s rating of a provider is the patient’s experience and feeling of being treated in an environment that is comfortable and safe. This includes their experience with the devices and equipment used during the exam. An uncomfortable experience may reflect poorly on a provider’s rating.
It’s time to talk to your customers about the features of their current scales. Ask your customers about their patient rosters, Do they feel they can accommodate their elderly and obese patients safely and comfortably? Health o meter® Professional Scales – the #1 Medical Scale Brand, offers several models that are designed to help providers weigh their elderly and obese patients. To learn more about the comprehensive line of large platform and wheelchair scales, visit www.homscales.com or call 1-800-815-6615.
* https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1141.pdf
**https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-statistics/overweight-obesity