The Bariatric Patient and an Unsupportive Healthcare Environment: An Ethics Analysis

From the point of entry into the hospital, the bariatric patient is at risk for increased harm. The continuing rise in obesity rates directly affects the ability of the existing physical environment of the healthcare facility to support patient and staff safety. It is unethical for healthcare facilities to accept bariatric patients into a care environment if the physical setting is ill equipped to provide safe, equitable, high-quality health care. The majority of medical facilities, however, lack the ability to care safely for the bariatric patient. Unsafe and unsupportive healthcare environments increase the potential for harm to patients and healthcare providers alike and are inconsistent with the principles of respect for persons and beneficence. With the acceptance of the bariatric patient to the healthcare facility, the facility must consider their ability to accommodate both the needs of the patient and the safety of the direct care providers. This article discusses the ethical considerations of bariatric patient care, focusing on risks for staff and patients along with potential legislative and environmental design solutions.

Sauceda T, Falco K

Keywords: safe patient handling, bariatric, ethics