Affiliations: Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University,
Loughborough, UK
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Sue Hignett, Healthcare Ergonomics
and Patient Safety Unit, Department of Human Sciences, Loughborough University,
Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK. Tel.: +44 (0)1509 223003; Fax: +44
(0)1509 223940; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: As part of a larger research project the patient pathway was mapped
for an emergency admission to identify the manual handling major risks. Focus
group interviews were held with 25 key stakeholders from the acute, community
and ambulance healthcare sectors and social services at 3 venues across the
United Kingdom (UK). A detailed qualitative iterative analysis used 'cause and
effect' or fishbone (Ishikawa) diagrams to identify key issues. Five themes
emerged as generic risks throughout the bariatric patient pathway, these were:
patient factors including body shape, mobility, pain, co-operation, privacy,
comfort and dignity; building (or vehicle) space and design, including space,
clearance, floor surface, and safe working load of floor; equipment (manual
handling and clinical) and furniture, including fit, maximum weight capacity,
availability, suitability, compatibility, size, and effort to move;
communication both within and between organisations; and organisational and
staff issues, including policies, culture and staff availability and training.
It was concluded that buildings, vehicles and equipment need to be designed to
'fit' a range of bariatric shapes and sizes so that bariatric patients could be
accommodated in safety and comfort, and with minimal loss of dignity.
Keywords: Patient pathway, risk management, moving and handling
