Taking Care of Patients with Obesity:
Practical Approaches
Susan Gallagher, PhD RN
Cheryl Holsworth, MSA, RN, CBN, CMSRN
Description:
With more than 40% of the US population considered obese, it makes sense for healthcare workers to prepare to safely deliver quality care to those individuals with a high percent of adiposity. This webinar explores the demographics of obesity, the cellular impact of obesity, barriers to care, weight bias, risks of occupational injury, and strategies to promote patient safety, including recommendations to improve outcomes such as training and equipment will presented. The terms bariatrics and adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) are discussed. Weight loss surgery is presented as an option for sustained weight loss for certain categories of individuals.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the participant will be able to:
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Describe the challenges in managing the in-hospital obese patient
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Identify the hazards of immobility and the resources/equipment that can improve outcomes
Faculty Bios:
Dr Gallagher is certified in Bariatric Nursing and is a Certified Safe Patient Handling Professional. She is immediate past-President of the Association for Safe Patient Handling Professionals, Associate Editor for Workplace Health and Safety (AAOHN) and has been(is) on the editorial boards of both JWOCN, OWM and the J of Bariatric Nursing and Surgical Patient Care. She serves on a number of international boards and is a recognized speaker on skin and wound care, outcomes, bariatrics, ethics, risk and loss control across the globe.
Ms. Holsworth is a Senior Nurse Specialist in Bariatric Surgery at Sharp Healthcare in San Diego, CA. In this position Ms. Holsworth serves as the clinical expert for the nursing staff for bariatric surgery patients. Additional responsibilities include providing and/or sharing evidence-based research and developing educational programs. She is active in several nursing and professional bariatric associations. Ms. Holsworth has presented posters and lectures at numerous medical conferences, and has published on the topic of managing obesity in critically ill patients.