Canada's first ambulance for obese patients on call

[spinbaby]

TORONTO (Reuters) - Obese patients in Calgary, Alberta, are the first in Canada to have a new ambulance on call specially modified to move them in a dignified and safe way while protecting paramedics from injury.

The so-called "bariatric response team" is called in when the patient weighs between 400 pounds (181 kilograms) and 1,000 pounds (453 kg).

(snip)
The ambulance has C$30,000 worth ($27,915) of modifications by a California-based company, including a hydraulic lift.

(snip)

Lapointe says he hopes Calgary's new ambulance will ensure that there will never be shocking images of obese patients being transported by trucks, as in the United States.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070622/wl_canada_nm/canada_canada_obesity_col_2

What really hit me here was that this very necessary vehicle--customized by a California company, by the way-- is available from "socialist" Canadian medicine, but apparently not here in the U.S.

[shadowknows69]

1. Dignity with your health care

what a concept. Once again I'd like to submit my application for ANY Canadian family to adopt me, my wife and my dog.

[Kagemusha]

2. I first heard of this starting to be done in Britain. Not surprised the idea spread.

It's not like the need is confined to any one country.

[madrchsod]

3. us firms are replacing older units with wider ones.

actually from the ambulance to the hospital bed everything is being made larger and heavier. first responders have to carry an extra person or buy lift equipment to get patients into the vans.also dealing with the extra weight is difficult for the first responders when it comes to the initial treatment. my son was a first responder and had to deal with a 600 lb person by himself and it was very difficult for him to even turn the person enough to attach medical devices. he`s 6`5 -250lbs.