A donation will allow better patient care for overweight patients.

The RBC Foundation donated $20,000 to purchase a bariatric suite for Ridge Meadows Hospital.

This gift of $20,000 will help to purchase specialized equipment designed to support the physical needs of patients who are larger than average patients.

The suite includes a bed, stretcher, floor lift with sling and scale, commode, wheelchair with pressure relief cushion and elevating footrests and two types of walkers.

“Bariatric equipment is designed to meet the patients’ needs as well as their caregivers,” said Karen Smith, clinical practice chief for rehabilitation. “Increased weight and size increases the risk of injury to the caregiver during patient handling and movement tasks. Some of the tasks that present extra challenges when caring for bariatric patients include turning and repositioning to prevent pressure sores, transferring in and out of a bed or chair, and assisting with bathing.”

At the same time, there are engineering issues, including strength of equipment, doorway clearance and accommodation of scales which need to be addressed in the management of bariatric patients.

This has created an essential need for the proper bariatric equipment in every health-care setting. The bariatric suite is designed to meet these challenges and enable safe and efficient patient care.

The suite would be used to provide improved care to bariatric residents, enabling quicker recovery and reducing their length of stay.

“This equipment will be utilized on a daily basis improving care, ensuring patient and resident safety, and providing increased dignity and independence for our bariatric clients,” said Bev Dixon, acting site director at Ridge Meadows Hospital.