Dr Rochelle Menzies1, Mr Paul Ingram1
1Royal Flying Doctors Service (Western Operations)
Biography:
Paul Ingram, Head of Nursing at Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Western Operations, is a registered Nurse with post-graduate degrees in Midwifery and Paediatrics from Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. After 14 years nursing at Ballarat (Vic) and Derby (WA) hospitals, Paul’s RFDS journey began in 1998 as a youthful Flight Nurse based at Meekatharra in regional WA, before relocating to Jandakot base and holding several senior positions. Representing WA, Paul is an active committee member of the Aeromedical Society of Australasia (ASA), contributing his expertise and experience to enhance patient care at the highest standard of quality and safety.
Abstract:
Obese patients in aeromedicine require specialised equipment, expert clinical skills, and aviation considerations. The dignity of obese patients and health and safety of aeromedical staff must be a priority. To better understand bariatric needs and demand, Royal Flying Doctor Service – Western Operations (RFDS WO) undertook a review of retrieval patients weighing ≥100kg and the bariatric transfer system implemented.
Aims of the clinical review were identification of trends across data for patients weighing 100kg+, evaluation of the RFDS WO bariatric retrieval system, evidence-based allocation of bariatric stretchers, and assessment of demand for bariatric stretchers to inform retrieval protocols, service planning, and funding.
Methods used for the review included: a search of literature around definitions of bariatric and prehospital care for bariatric patients; review of obesity rates; a clinical audit of bariatric data since 2005; statistical analyses; and document analysis on policies, protocols, and manuals.
Results for retrieval patients weighing 100kg+ show, nearly 50% are for circulatory system conditions or injury and poisoning, they are more likely to be non-Indigenous males aged 40-65 years, most transferred to Perth metro with top three source regions being Pilbara (21%), Midwest (18.5%) and Goldfields (16.5%). Data trends reveal overall increases in bariatric weight, number of bariatric retrievals, and bariatric stretcher demand.
Conclusions include the need for continued prioritization of patient dignity and staff wellbeing, bariatric retrieval systems to include patients weighing 100-149kg, increased availability of bariatric stretchers, evidence-based stretcher allocation at bases, and better prevention and promotion activities around healthy weight in regional WA.
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