MTEMS Adds Bariatric Cot For Patient Safety
With obesity on the rise throughout the country, many ambulance services face the difficulty of transporting larger patients on cots not designated for their weight.
Thanks to a grant from K21 Health Foundation, Multi-Township EMS now has a new cot that is specifically designed for the welfare and comfort of these patients, as well as for the safety of emergency personnel.
The new cot is wider and stronger than standard cots, and has extra lift points for safer lifting. It will hold up to 850 pounds in an upright position, and 1,600 pounds lying flat. The K21 grant also included the purchase of a winch system that will pull the patient into the ambulance, which reduces the risk of injury to EMS professionals.
According to Paramedic Supervisor Tony Doyle, “The new cot and winch system will help us provide a safer experience to the larger patients we transport. These patients should feel more comfortable and less stress in an already stressful situation.”
While MTEMS covers a significant portion of Kosciusko County, use of the cot will be made available to other services in the community if the need arises.
K21 Health Foundation exists for the benefit of Kosciusko County citizens to ensure health care services are provided, and to advance prevention and healthy lifestyles. For more information about the K21 Health Foundation, call (574) 269-5188 or visit www.k21foundation.org.